Mr STEPHEN SMITH —Mr Speaker, you will recall that I raised with you on 5 June, as did the member for Moore, the number of Western Australian schools participating in the parliament citizenship visits program. In your recent reply to me, for which I am very grateful, you indicated that together with Madam President you were considering the program's allocation of funding and the subsidy levels. You also indicated that you were hopeful of making an announcement in that respect. To enable Western Australian schools to make some forward planning, I am inquiring whether that announcement might be this week, during the winter recess or when we return after the winter recess.

Mr SPEAKER —With the absence of the President overseas, final conclusions are unlikely this week. However, we do expect to make a final decision very early in the new financial year and, as soon as the decisions have been made, then the information will be directed to all concerned members by letter as soon as it is possible to do so.