❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about the closure of the Learn Foundation for Autism Centre. Barnett avoids a direct 'yes' or 'no' answer, highlighting it's a private centre and discussing government support for children with autism in schools.
AnsweredQoN 231Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LEARN FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM CENTRE —
CLOSURE
231. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. As a result of the Premier's
meeting, will the centre stay open—yes or no?
CLOSURE
231. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. As a result of the Premier's
meeting, will the centre stay open—yes or no?
AnswerView source ↗
It is a private centre, closed by the liquidator. That is a
fact. It is not a government centre; it is not a government-funded centre —
Mr
M. McGowan : Say no!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : That is a very smart little stunt by the Leader of the
Opposition! He should do what I and the minister, and the member for Alfred
Cove have done—we have actually sat down to try to work out a solution
the best we can.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : We
have spent a considerable amount of time on this issue today. A lot of people
have had a chance to put their positions. I do not think interjecting at this
stage is going to develop any further resolution.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The parents I met with were quite emphatic about how the program had helped
their individual children. I do not doubt that at all. I do not question the
program. I think it is probably true that in an area like autism some programs
work for some children and other programs work for other children. Autism is a
complex condition. In our schools, there are 2 700 children with autism who
receive additional support. These parents choose, or are able to provide,
support beyond what is funded through the school system in terms of education
assistants. Indeed, one of the women I spoke to has an education assistant in
the school for her child at very substantial, but worthy, expenditure to the
state government. I congratulate these parents who somehow find additional
money to provide additional sessions and programs for their children beyond
what is funded through government, both state and commonwealth.
Mr M. McGowan :
They are not school aged.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Some of them are. The one I was just speaking to is.
Mr M. McGowan : A
great many are not.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Indeed, there are intervention schools. Are members opposite suggesting that we
provide a different level of government subsidy for some, as distinct from the
vast majority; for example the 2 700 children and all the other children who
are preschool age who may also have autism? Are members opposite suggesting a
discriminatory level of funding simply because a group came to the Labor Party?
fact. It is not a government centre; it is not a government-funded centre —
Mr
M. McGowan : Say no!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : That is a very smart little stunt by the Leader of the
Opposition! He should do what I and the minister, and the member for Alfred
Cove have done—we have actually sat down to try to work out a solution
the best we can.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : We
have spent a considerable amount of time on this issue today. A lot of people
have had a chance to put their positions. I do not think interjecting at this
stage is going to develop any further resolution.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The parents I met with were quite emphatic about how the program had helped
their individual children. I do not doubt that at all. I do not question the
program. I think it is probably true that in an area like autism some programs
work for some children and other programs work for other children. Autism is a
complex condition. In our schools, there are 2 700 children with autism who
receive additional support. These parents choose, or are able to provide,
support beyond what is funded through the school system in terms of education
assistants. Indeed, one of the women I spoke to has an education assistant in
the school for her child at very substantial, but worthy, expenditure to the
state government. I congratulate these parents who somehow find additional
money to provide additional sessions and programs for their children beyond
what is funded through government, both state and commonwealth.
Mr M. McGowan :
They are not school aged.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Some of them are. The one I was just speaking to is.
Mr M. McGowan : A
great many are not.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Indeed, there are intervention schools. Are members opposite suggesting that we
provide a different level of government subsidy for some, as distinct from the
vast majority; for example the 2 700 children and all the other children who
are preschool age who may also have autism? Are members opposite suggesting a
discriminatory level of funding simply because a group came to the Labor Party?
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