Hon B.M. Scott questions the government's allocation of $120 million for technology in schools, contrasting it with criticism of past spending and raising concerns about addressing issues highlighted in the Auditor General's report. Hon G.T. Giffard clarifies the funding is for telecommunications upgrades and will come from existing resources.

AnsweredQoN 225Legislative Council
Asked
20 June 2001
Portfolio
Education

QuestionView source ↗

The Government has been highly critical of the former coalition Government for “wasting” $80 million on technology in schools, but has since announced it will spend an additional $120 million. (1) From where will the money come? (2) The Auditor General’s report released a few weeks ago discusses the need for training more teachers and providing more power outlets, security, etc.  What are the Government’s plans for addressing those needs in the new $120 million plan? Hon G.T. GIFFARD

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The $120 million relates to the upgrade of the telecommunications network that connects all schools and other Education Department work sites.  The outcome will be a significant improvement in the bandwidth available to schools.  The contract will be funded from existing resources, which includes the current telecommunication expenditure.  The $120 million does not specifically address the issues raised by the Auditor General, but will support the Education Department in addressing the issues contained in the Auditor General’s report.
(1) From where will the money come? (2) The Auditor General’s report released a few weeks ago discusses the need for training more teachers and providing more power outlets, security, etc.  What are the Government’s plans for addressing those needs in the new $120 million plan? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The $120 million relates to the upgrade of the telecommunications network that connects all schools and other Education Department work sites.  The outcome will be a significant improvement in the bandwidth available to schools.  The contract will be funded from existing resources, which includes the current telecommunication expenditure.  The $120 million does not specifically address the issues raised by the Auditor General, but will support the Education Department in addressing the issues contained in the Auditor General’s report.
(2) The Auditor General’s report released a few weeks ago discusses the need for training more teachers and providing more power outlets, security, etc.  What are the Government’s plans for addressing those needs in the new $120 million plan? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The $120 million relates to the upgrade of the telecommunications network that connects all schools and other Education Department work sites.  The outcome will be a significant improvement in the bandwidth available to schools.  The contract will be funded from existing resources, which includes the current telecommunication expenditure.  The $120 million does not specifically address the issues raised by the Auditor General, but will support the Education Department in addressing the issues contained in the Auditor General’s report.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The $120 million relates to the upgrade of the telecommunications network that connects all schools and other Education Department work sites.  The outcome will be a significant improvement in the bandwidth available to schools.  The contract will be funded from existing resources, which includes the current telecommunication expenditure.  The $120 million does not specifically address the issues raised by the Auditor General, but will support the Education Department in addressing the issues contained in the Auditor General’s report.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The $120 million relates to the upgrade of the telecommunications network that connects all schools and other Education Department work sites.  The outcome will be a significant improvement in the bandwidth available to schools.  The contract will be funded from existing resources, which includes the current telecommunication expenditure.  The $120 million does not specifically address the issues raised by the Auditor General, but will support the Education Department in addressing the issues contained in the Auditor General’s report.
(1)-(2) The $120 million relates to the upgrade of the telecommunications network that connects all schools and other Education Department work sites.  The outcome will be a significant improvement in the bandwidth available to schools.  The contract will be funded from existing resources, which includes the current telecommunication expenditure.  The $120 million does not specifically address the issues raised by the Auditor General, but will support the Education Department in addressing the issues contained in the Auditor General’s report.

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