Senator ALLISON (Leader of the Australian Democrats) (11:50 PM) —This has been an ongoing problem, Minister. It was identified in those inquiries that I have mentioned already that the Senate has undertaken. It has been brought to the attention of the Commonwealth for at least six years. I think that was the first year in which we did an inquiry into Indigenous education, so it has been a well-understood problem. I am surprised that it has not been at the forefront of your negotiations with the Northern Territory minister.

There are many places in the Northern Territory that have primary schools but do not have secondary schools anywhere near those communities. I know you have in the appropriations bills some money for boarding schools, but it would appear that this is not going to be an option for all students of secondary school age. Can you give the committee a guarantee that there will be a secondary school available to all students where there is currently a primary school?