11. JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What recent announcements has the Government made to get schools ready for ultra-fast broadband?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
There is more good news; it just keeps on coming. Last week the Minister for Communications and Information Technology and I announced the $21.5 million allocation for schools in the latest round of a $150 million boost for school information and communications technology network upgrades. This means that another 100 schools have been invited to take part in the school network upgrade, which will see the Government and the schools split the cost of the upgrade 80:20.
I am advised that a number of the schools will have agreed arrangements with the ministry before the end of this year. Once agreement is reached, on-site work should be able to commence approximately 4 weeks later. That means that some schools will be able to commence work early next year so that they are ready to take full advantage of the benefits provided by this technology close to the start of the new school year.
Clare CurranWhat discussions has she had with the Minister for Communications and Information Technology on the broader policy framework being proposed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economic Development to make use of the ultra-fast broadband roll-out, and how much will it cost?
Is the Ministry of Education involved in the Ministry of Economic Development - led trans-sector committee on broadband; if so, what work is the Ministry of Education doing as part of that committee?
Mr SPEAKERThere will be a little order in the House. A point of order was called by the Labour member who asked the question. I expect a little courtesy to be shown to her.
My question was quite specific. It asked the Minister what work is being done as part of this committee, and the Minister replied with a yes.
As I recollect the member’s question, she asked not just a general question about what work was being done but whether something was taking place between two parties—whether a certain party was being involved in the work. As I recollect the Minister’s answer, she confirmed that yes, that party was being involved in the work. I believe that is a perfectly fair answer to the question asked.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It relates to the first part of the Minister’s response to that supplementary question, where you said that she indicated yes, they were involved. She said “we” are involved when she was asked a specific question about her ministry. She is not the Queen.
I think that is nitpicking. If it transpires that the Minister was using a device like that to actually give incorrect information, I am sure that honourable members will follow that up with further questions in the future. My interpretation of the Minister’s answer was that she was confirming what the member had asked.