Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Lowe for his question. I know that he would be very supportive of the 559 economic stimulus plan projects in his electorate totalling more than $61 million. I know that he is a man who is very much in touch with his local schools and a frequent visitor to them. He would be delighted to see that 42 of his local schools are receiving more than $53 million through Building the Education Revolution—the biggest school modernisation program the country has ever seen.

Before I came to question time, the member for Higgins—I note that he is not here now—was giving a press conference where he regretted that there was not enough humour in question time in the modern age. My mind has gone back to a comedy show on television called Not the Nine O’Clock News. What I am hoping is that I might be able to reprise that comedy show on the basis of not what is in the Australian today about Building the Education Revolution. And on what is not in the Australian today, people may have seen reports in the Australian today about Holland Park State School. It is a great school in the electorate of the Prime Minister.

In reading that report today in the Australian newspaper people may have come to the conclusion that there was a problem with this program. Let me just clarify it for members of the House. Under Primary Schools for the 21st Century, Holland Park State School has been approved funding of $1½ million for the construction of a new library, which was identified by the school as a priority, and a further $1½ million to extend and refurbish the existing multipurpose hall with new office and kitchen facilities, including seating, staging, sound and light facilities.

I understand that there were some critical comments made by a community member about this plan, and they are reported in today’s Australian, and of course the Australian will report things said to it. I note that the principal of this school, Mr Anthony Gribbin, has sent the following statement about the school’s view of the project. He says, somewhat informally:

Dear, Kevin

The school community is delighted by its successful application for funding under the second round of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century—Building the Education Revolution.

Holland Park State School will receive a once-in-a-lifetime enhancement of its facilities with improved interactive technology for all students and teachers, a new library and refurbished hall. These facilities will help us deliver quality education to all our students, providing them with a secure foundation for the future.

The school is currently in the planning stages with Education Queensland and it is expected that the approved projects will be ready for the start of the 2010 school year.

These facilities will also benefit the wider community, as they will be accessible for community training programs, meetings or workshops.

I thought that was a pretty glowing endorsement.

On the question of endorsements, my attention was also drawn today to the words of the former Prime Minister when asked about the member for Higgins. He said only 10 words:

I wish Peter well, but I have no further statement.

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