❓ Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Energy regarding the closure of the WA Solar Schools program, focusing on the timing, communication, and impact on schools. The Minister provides brief answers confirming the closure was budget-related and schools were notified.
AnsweredQoN 368Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SOLAR
SCHOOLS PROGRAM — CLOSURE
368. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Energy:
My question has been redirected to the Minister for Energy
from the Minister for Finance, and is about the Western Australian Solar
Schools program. I am not sure why that happened because all the correspondence
we have is from Finance.
I refer to the closure of the WA Solar Schools program.
(1) When was the
decision made to close the program?
(2) What date was
announced for the closure?
(3) How was the
closure decision communicated to schools?
(4) Is the
minister aware that his department has effectively closed the scheme before the
date expected by schools by telling applicants that submissions made well
before the expected closing date will not be considered for funding?
(5) Does the
minister think that apologising for this extraordinary move will satisfy the
schools that have devoted a great deal of time and energy to preparing plans to
help teach children about environmental sustainability and to help schools
manage their energy costs?
SCHOOLS PROGRAM — CLOSURE
368. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Energy:
My question has been redirected to the Minister for Energy
from the Minister for Finance, and is about the Western Australian Solar
Schools program. I am not sure why that happened because all the correspondence
we have is from Finance.
I refer to the closure of the WA Solar Schools program.
(1) When was the
decision made to close the program?
(2) What date was
announced for the closure?
(3) How was the
closure decision communicated to schools?
(4) Is the
minister aware that his department has effectively closed the scheme before the
date expected by schools by telling applicants that submissions made well
before the expected closing date will not be considered for funding?
(5) Does the
minister think that apologising for this extraordinary move will satisfy the
schools that have devoted a great deal of time and energy to preparing plans to
help teach children about environmental sustainability and to help schools
manage their energy costs?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) The
decision was made as part of the budget process.
(2) On 18 May.
(3) Schools were
informed by telephone and/or by letter.
(4) In keeping
with the government's commitment to good economic management, it was
determined that schools that had received approval to enter into a contract
with a supplier before 18 May would remain eligible for a rebate. Similarly, it
was decided that applications that had not reached that stage in the process
would not proceed.
(5) No.
question.
(1) The
decision was made as part of the budget process.
(2) On 18 May.
(3) Schools were
informed by telephone and/or by letter.
(4) In keeping
with the government's commitment to good economic management, it was
determined that schools that had received approval to enter into a contract
with a supplier before 18 May would remain eligible for a rebate. Similarly, it
was decided that applications that had not reached that stage in the process
would not proceed.
(5) No.
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