Guy Barnett (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 4, standing in my name for today and proposing a reference to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee, in the terms circulated in the chamber.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matters be referred to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee for inquiry and report:

(a)

consideration of waste and mismanagement within the Federal Government’s Primary Schools for the 21st Century program, with particular reference to:

(i)

schools being forced to use non-local contractors at the instruction of state government departments and the role of state governments generally,

(ii)

inflated ‘project management’ charges diverting funds from reaching schools and contractors inflating prices for certain projects,

(iii)

timing and budget concerns including possible funding bias,

(iv)

mass-produced ‘demountables’ being delivered to schools, rather than the promised ‘iconic’ buildings,

(v)

schools being compelled to accept certain projects for fear of losing funding,

(vi)

the extent of duplication of existing facilities,

(vii)

school signs and plaques, and

(viii)

other examples;

(b)

consideration of possible measures to reduce or eliminate this waste and mismanagement, and ensure value for money for the remaining life of this program, and future school infrastructure programs; and

(c)

other related matters.

Question agreed to.