❓ Mr. Castrilli questions the reliance on transportable classrooms despite a budget surplus. Mr. McGowan defends the government's investment in education infrastructure and justifies the use of transportable classrooms.
AnsweredQoN 702Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TRANSPORTABLE AND DEMOUNTABLE CLASSROOMS
I refer to the answer to a question on notice from the Leader of the Opposition, which showed that the number of transportable and demountable classrooms being used by the Department of Education and Training has increased by 25 per cent since 2000 to around 2 200 buildings, and I ask - (1) As the state is in the middle of a massive mining boom, and the government is sitting on a $2.3 billion surplus, why is that thousands of our children are being taught in transportable buildings rather than purpose-built classrooms? (2) Why has the government failed to plan for, and deliver, appropriate facilities for our children? Mr M. McGOWAN
I refer to the answer to a question on notice from the Leader of the Opposition, which showed that the number of transportable and demountable classrooms being used by the Department of Education and Training has increased by 25 per cent since 2000 to around 2 200 buildings, and I ask - (1) As the state is in the middle of a massive mining boom, and the government is sitting on a $2.3 billion surplus, why is that thousands of our children are being taught in transportable buildings rather than purpose-built classrooms? (2) Why has the government failed to plan for, and deliver, appropriate facilities for our children? Mr M. McGOWAN
AnswerView source ↗
And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
(1) As the state is in the middle of a massive mining boom, and the government is sitting on a $2.3 billion surplus, why is that thousands of our children are being taught in transportable buildings rather than purpose-built classrooms? (2) Why has the government failed to plan for, and deliver, appropriate facilities for our children? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
(2) Why has the government failed to plan for, and deliver, appropriate facilities for our children? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
(1) As the state is in the middle of a massive mining boom, and the government is sitting on a $2.3 billion surplus, why is that thousands of our children are being taught in transportable buildings rather than purpose-built classrooms? (2) Why has the government failed to plan for, and deliver, appropriate facilities for our children? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
(2) Why has the government failed to plan for, and deliver, appropriate facilities for our children? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
And (3): As the Leader of the Opposition asked me the original question, why did the Leader of the Opposition not ask me this question? Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Several members interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN : He sits there mute, and he has to get heavy hitters like the member for Bunbury to ask the question! Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr T. Buswell : Why do they call you sneakers? Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN : And who can forget the heavy hitter, the member for Vasse? Who can forget the member for Vasse, sneaking around with a knife in his pocket, just waiting for Christmas so that he can give a Christmas present to the Leader of the Opposition! The Christmas present is coming! He has got it in his stocking, and he is going to pull it out and give it to the Leader of the Opposition! Is that not true, member for Vasse? Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr T. Buswell : What - that they call you sneakers? It is absolutely true! I have it on very good authority. I have actually had it explained to me in graphic detail how you got that name! I will not burden the house with it, though. It is very enlightening. Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
Mr M. McGOWAN : (1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Bunbury for his question about transportable classrooms. Now, we could sort of assume from the language used by the member for Bunbury that we have not done a lot in terms of capital works. I will tell members what we are doing in capital works in schools around Western Australia. We are spending $1 billion on capital works in schools. That is double what the last government spent on capital works. In addition to that, over our term in office, 79 new schools have been built or are under construction. That is roughly double the number of schools that were built during the term of the last government. We have been in office for only seven years. The last government was in office for eight years. We are spending twice as much, and we are building nearly twice as many schools. We have closed roughly half as many schools as the last government closed. That is the record. Members opposite can act offended, or whatever, but that is the truth of the matter. We are doing more than any other government has done before in capital works. On the question of transportables, they have been in use for a long time. They have been used by all governments. The member for Cottesloe defended them most vigorously when he was education minister. I remember it very clearly. Transportables are used for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes they are used as classrooms. Sometimes they are used as facilities for additional purposes, such as for students who have disabilities, or for break-out areas, or they are used as science laboratories, or whatever. Remember, they are air-conditioned. They are often very popular in school communities because of that simple fact. The member for Bunbury can run them down, but the truth of the matter is that when the member for Cottesloe was Minister for Education, he was a very staunch defender of them.
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