LANDSDALE FARM SCHOOL —
FAMILY SUPPORT WA
765. Hon JIM CHOWN to the Minister for Education and
Training:
I refer to the announcement on
Saturday, 8 September 2018 regarding the preferred tenderer for Landsdale Farm
School.
(1) Does the
minister think it appropriate that Landsdale Farm School staff found out about
the preferred tenderer via a Facebook post; and —
(a) if yes, can
the minister please explain why it is appropriate that the staff were not
formally notified; and
(b) if not, why did it happen?
(2) When will the transition from a Department of
Education–run facility to a not-for-profit-run facility take place?
(3) Will the
minister please explain what financial benefits the government will accrue
having a not-for-profit organisation running and administering the
establishment as opposed to the Department of Education continuing to run
Landsdale Farm School?
(4) Can the minister please put a dollar
figure on these annual financial savings?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
I reject the premise of the
honourable member's question.
(1) As stated,
the preferred operator for Landsdale Farm School was announced on Saturday, 8 September
2018. As the media statement was scheduled to be released on the weekend, the
Landsdale manager was advised of the proposed announcement on Friday, 7
September 2018.
(2) The transition to Family Support
WA Inc will take place at the end of term 4, 2018.
(3) Family
Support WA Inc is an innovative and modern disability services provider with a long
history of involvement at Landsdale Farm School. Its history and association
allows Family Support WA to bring new approaches to the operation of the farm
while maintaining the farm's objectives and ethos. Under this model,
the Department of Education will not be required to contribute to the operation
of Landsdale Farm School.
(4) The annual savings are estimated
at $520 000.