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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 43 asked in the Legislative Council on 14 March 2018 by Hon Martin Aldridge

Parliament: 40 Session: 1


MOORA RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE
      43. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Education and Training:
I refer to Moora Residential College.
      (1) What was and is the cost to the state government in the 2017 and 2018 school years to operate the college once fee collection and other income are taken into consideration?
      (2) Is the minister aware of the economic impact assessment commissioned by the Shire of Moora and undertaken by Lucid Economics, and on what date was she made aware of the report?
      (3) Does the minister agree with the report's conclusion that the closure of Moora Residential College will have a direct economic impact, including the loss of 15 jobs, directly and indirectly, as well as a reduction in the value of the local economy of $1.5 million in gross regional product terms? This reduction in economic activity will essentially see the direct removal of $1.8 million in local turnover within the economy.
      (4) Given this government's mantra is jobs, jobs, jobs and the minister's own comments that it should not be a person's postcode that determines how good their facilities are, how does she stand by her reckless decision to close the Moora Residential College?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
      (1) In the 2016–17 financial year, income was $454 949, expenditure was $812 652 and the net cost was $357 703. In the 2017–18 financial year, income was $465 910, expenditure was $843 827 and the net cost was $377 917.
      (2) Yes; it was 28 February 2018.
      (3) I do not accept the premise of the conclusion nor the figures included.
      (4) The Liberal–National government had eight years to stop the deterioration of Moora Residential College. The McGowan government was elected to deliver on a jobs plan to create a more vibrant and diversified economy with a broader range of industries and jobs. For instance, from April this year, Central Regional TAFE's Moora campus will become the central training facility for AFGRI Equipment's apprenticeship program. This new partnership will have a positive impact on the local community and businesses due to the increased number of people going to Moora for training.