David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One of the most enjoyable roles I have as the member for Bean is working with our great school community: the teachers, students, parents and guardians, principals and administrators. Last week was one such occasion: I helped to open the new multipurpose hall at the Islamic School of Canberra. The hall will be used for indoor sports, as well as performance activities and events. This will make a real difference to the school, helping to provide the best environment for teachers to nurture and educate and for students to do the best that they can. The project was delivered with government funding of $1 million, but that's only part of the story, with the community raising $1.3 million themselves, an extraordinary effort. Over the next four years, the government will be investing around $800 million in new and improved facilities at schools right across Australia, including $3.5 million here in the ACT this year. We want every child to have the best schooling possible. Congratulations to the Islamic School of Canberra for completing this magnificent project. Particular thanks go to the principal, Dr Mahmoud Eid, and to the teachers, students and administrators for their kind hospitality and making me feel so welcome last week in opening their magnificent hall.