Mike Elliott: Question on School Asset Management Plans

Extract from Hansard

Legislative Council
25 September 2001

Mike Elliott
Leader Australian Democrats
Member of the Legislative Council

Parliament Index
2001 Spring Sitting Index
Browse by Subject
Search all Democrats material
About the SA Parliament
Hansard on line

The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Education, a question about school asset management plans.

The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: My question relates to delays in the issue of school asset management plans and the impact on school maintenance. On entering Partnerships 21, many schools assumed, and were led to understand, that outstanding maintenance would be fixed by the department and not left to individual school governing councils to complete. I understand that there has not been a great deal of progress in that area. Of even greater concern is that South Australian public schools are facing necessary repairs and upgrades of up to $40 million to bring them up to the occupational health and safety standards that are required of industry generally.

The urgency of the situation, and the lack of government action, has meant that some schools are planning to address maintenance problems from within their global budgets, even though that was not meant to be the case. However, this money cannot be spent without approval being given by way of school asset management plans. I was recently contacted by representatives of South Australian public schools who expressed their frustration that their school asset management plans are still to be approved. My questions are:

1. How does the minister intend to bring the South Australian public schools back into line with occupational health and safety standards so that school governing councils are not left to foot the bill, and at what rate will the backlog of general maintenance be addressed?

2. Can the minister explain how he expects each governing council to manage its school's physical facilities without the approval of the asset management plan?

3. Will the minister explain whether this is what he is referring to when he talks about more flexibility and choice for schools in Partnerships 21?

4. Will the minister advise what consequences school governing councils face if they take matters into their hands and carry out maintenance without waiting for departmental approval for asset management plans?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I will refer the honourable member's question to the minister and bring back a reply.