Gary Hardgrave (Moreton, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I do not need to ask my advisers because they are not carrying it either. The member for Jagajaga might be wise to understand that the varying amounts of money reflect the ambitions of each of the local communities. Each community has put a case to us about how they interpret the Australian technical college program. Each brings a different asset base, a different model and a different approach. We have entered into a contractual obligation with each of those communities. There has been a very real effort to allow each of those communities to understand that there is not a standard amount of money that is associated with it. Some simply cost more than others because of the type of programs people have put to us.

In Townsville there has been a larger commitment to the physical structures of buildings because we recognise that it is a cyclone rated area that requires quality building. A quality program of construction is underway, to the best of my knowledge. But the day-to-day dealings and all of that information actually rests in the hands of each consortium. The government is always happy to account for what those amounts are. I suspect that, as each of the amounts is expended and as each of those dollar figures is available, if the officials have not provided it at Senate estimates I might see the member for Jagajaga put it on the Notice Paper and ask me a question.

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