Alex Somlyay (Fairfax, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations. I refer the minister to reports that 91 school halls and libraries in Queensland built under the government’s school hall stimulus program do not meet minimum fire safety standards. Will the minister advised the House how much more taxpayers’ money is being spent to upgrade brand new buildings so they meet minimum fire safety standards?

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will undertake to find out the specifics of the 91 because I am not aware of that. Of course, it is essential that any investment made by the Australian government for public buildings should meet adequate fire and safety standards. That should be a requirement.

Sophie Mirabella (Indi, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mrs Mirabella interjecting

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If it is not then that is something that we need to take up with the responsible bodies in Queensland that commissioned the work. It is also something that we would insist they carry the cost of redressing. This, after all, was what the Orgill inquiry was set up to do—not only to receive the complaints but to seek restitution in relation to them.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why don’t you release the costings?

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The costings have been released. In terms of the costings, because of the interjection on the basis of the question that was sought to be asked yesterday but was wrongly directed to the minister, the Orgill committee—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They claim interest in the answer but never want to listen. This has been their problem with this program all the way through. The member would be aware, if he was interested in this, that we withheld money from the New South Wales government because it was not meeting its obligations properly. If there is evidence that this money has not been spent properly, in terms of meeting safety standards, there is opportunity for each of those so-called complaints to be addressed to the Orgill committee. The question I would ask the member to contemplate when he goes from this place is: have those 91 complaints been referred to the Orgill committee. That is what it was set up to do. The only point I would make in conclusion is that this program would never have happened if those opposite had held the treasury benches. They were a party that had no idea of the importance not just of investing in the future of education but of creating jobs. The Orgill committee is there for responsible complaints. I suggest the member, if he is concerned about this beyond this answer, direct his questions to the Orgill committee.

Sophie Mirabella (Indi, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Aren’t they going to take responsibility for anything? Send it to another committee? You’ve got to be kidding.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Member for Indi, is it okay for the rest of us to continue? You are warned.