❓ Question regarding a previous unfunded commitment by the former Education Minister to reduce class sizes, leading to accusations of poor financial management and a 'budget black hole'. The current minister confirms the commitment and its unfunded status, criticizing the previous minister's handling of the portfolio.
AnsweredQoN 155Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CLASS SIZES, UNFUNDED COMMITMENT 155. Mr DEAN to the Minister for Education: (1) Did the previous education minister make an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes in years 1 to 3 from 28 to 24? (2) If yes to (1), what was the size of that commitment and is it another example of what has become commonly known as Barnett’s budget black hole? Mr Barnett: Tell us about your commitment in the election campaign! Mr CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
CLASS SIZES, UNFUNDED COMMITMENT
(1) Did the previous education minister make an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes in years 1 to 3 from 28 to 24? (2) If yes to (1), what was the size of that commitment and is it another example of what has become commonly known as Barnett’s budget black hole? Mr Barnett: Tell us about your commitment in the election campaign! Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
(2) If yes to (1), what was the size of that commitment and is it another example of what has become commonly known as Barnett’s budget black hole? Mr Barnett: Tell us about your commitment in the election campaign! Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr Barnett: Tell us about your commitment in the election campaign! Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
(1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
CLASS SIZES, UNFUNDED COMMITMENT
(1) Did the previous education minister make an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes in years 1 to 3 from 28 to 24? (2) If yes to (1), what was the size of that commitment and is it another example of what has become commonly known as Barnett’s budget black hole? Mr Barnett: Tell us about your commitment in the election campaign! Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
(2) If yes to (1), what was the size of that commitment and is it another example of what has become commonly known as Barnett’s budget black hole? Mr Barnett: Tell us about your commitment in the election campaign! Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr Barnett: Tell us about your commitment in the election campaign! Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
I thank the member for Bunbury for that question. (1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
(1)-(2) It is amazing how sensitive the little bloke is over there on the opposition bench. Any suggestion that he may have done something fractionally less than perfect sets him off into an absolute rage. Members may well remember the last day of the election campaign when the former Minister for Education and I were interviewed on ABC radio and, as the interview was filmed, appeared on ABC television. We got into an amazing situation. However, one question about which he was extremely upset related to the forward estimates of the Education Department. I pointed out that the education forward estimates showed a decline in spending in education for the next financial year. The former Minister for Education basically said that the forward estimates did not mean anything. Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr Barnett: That is right. Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
Mr CARPENTER: He has just said it again: they do not mean anything! When members look at his performance as a minister, they will see why he holds that view. In a little while I shall outline the number of times and the magnitude of the supplementary funding for education that he sought on almost a yearly basis. He now has the audacity to talk to the media about the Labor Party being afraid to deal with money issues. When we inherited the legacy that he left behind, we had every right to be afraid because we will get burnt every time we touch it. What a hopeless manager he was. The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
The member for Bunbury raised an important issue in his question. The previous minister made a commitment that class sizes in years 1 to 3 would be reduced from 28 to 24. This Government - as it should have - committed to match that promise because, educationally, it is the right thing to do. Having heard the minister make every political mile out of that commitment, we did not anticipate in opposition that when we got into government we would discover that it was not funded. When I asked Treasury whether it had been funded, the response was that, despite repeated assurances from the former minister, it was an unfunded commitment. That is unfortunate and clearly demonstrates the former minister’s poor management of his portfolio. He has left this Government to deal with several important funding issues. They will be addressed, but it is important for the people of Western Australia, particularly those with an interest in education - which the former minister did not have - to be aware of the legacy that he left. It is significant that he is now Leader of the Opposition and puts himself up as a potential Premier, when his financial management capacity is so lacking. The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
The former minister made an unfunded commitment to reduce class sizes from 28 to 24 students. Honouring that commitment will cost at least $11 million over four years.
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