Page 3398 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 13 October 1993
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The Government has aimed for a surplus of $12.8m in its recurrent budget for 1993-94. In a time of recession the Government is aiming for a recurrent budget surplus - and for what reason? So that it can point to good financial management? During the current recession we should be aiming to maintain the status quo in funding areas such as education which are tied to our prospects of emerging from the economic downturn and which leave us in the best position to capitalise on the future growth in the economy.
I feel that this can better be done by maintaining employment ahead of aiming for a recurrent budget surplus. We will also, I would suggest, benefit more from improved education outcomes for students in the longer term, which cannot be the product of reduced teacher numbers and the resultant stress placed on those teachers who remain. According to the September unemployment figures, the ACT moved against the national trend, recording an increase in the level of unemployment. It makes no sense to reduce teacher numbers at a time when education is being so firmly linked to future employment prospects.
Let me quote from an ALP policy document distributed during the 1992 election campaign. In the policy statement "Protecting Canberra's Schools" the ALP stated:
The education of our young people remains the highest priority for Labor. A Labor Government will provide a quality education for its students to develop their talents and capacities to the full in achieving high standards of learning, self-confidence, optimism, self-esteem and respect for others.
Labor acknowledges the qualities of ACT schools but recognises also that there are areas of difficulty, particularly high schools and the relatively small number of students who present with behavioural disturbances. In co-operation with parents, teachers and students the Follett Government will target those areas to improve the quality of ACT school level education.
Labor believes the next three years should be a period of stability and consolidation. The debate should focus on the quality of education provided by the school system, not simply on the cost of schools and school buildings themselves.
Labor recognises the crucial role of teachers and the need to ensure that they have appropriate opportunities for professional development, job satisfaction and career enhancement.
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The neighbourhood school system, therefore, must be maintained and protected.
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