Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, upon notice, on 1 September 2011:

(1)      Are there any agreements, funding or other, between the Federal Government, the Northern Territory Government and/or Northern Territory local government councils or shires relating to swimming pools in Aboriginal communities; if so:

  (a)    do these agreements specify who is responsible for the capital expense for the construction of swimming pools and who is responsible for the recurrent operational expenses; and

  (b)   can copies of these agreements be provided.

  (2)   How many schools report on the ‘no school no pool rule’.

  (3)   How many children are refused access to pools due to the ‘no school no pool rule’.

(4)      For all swimming pools funded through the Federal government, does the Government maintain records of when the pool was opened and when or if it was closed.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government does not have any agreements, funding or other, with the Northern Territory Government and/or Northern Territory local government councils or shires relating to swimming pools in Aboriginal communities.