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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 7 Hansard (18 October) . . Page.. 1805 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

capitalise on the work that has been undertaken over the last three years. The focus has to shift to outcomes-based education, to reporting on student outcomes and to key strategic areas such as languages other than English, gifted and talented students, sport and physical education, and the arts. I understand that a number of people in central office are providing Aboriginal support. In fact, I think I answered a question on that about three weeks ago. I am also advised, Mr Moore, that in 1996 there will be nine senior policy officers, headed by a principal, to work on curriculum matters encompassing all the key learning areas. In addition, a principal and three other senior personnel will focus on outcomes and reporting.

MR MOORE: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Minister, with your emphasis on sport, particularly compulsory sport, throughout the curriculum, are you aware of schools that have actually chosen now to comply with your wishes on sport having been forced to cut education in music? Do you think that in some ways sport has an intrinsically greater value than music?

MR STEFANIAK: There are eight key learning areas, Mr Moore, as you realise. You talk about compulsory sport. I note that the previous Government had a document which indicated that there should be compulsory physical education in schools up to Year 10 by the start of this year. I think it is well recognised that one of the eight key learning areas - health, physical education and sport - has been neglected and there is a very great perceived need, not only here in Canberra but nationwide, to improve that. That is the process that is currently occurring in extensive consultation with all key stakeholders, including many members of this Assembly who have availed themselves of the opportunity to partake in the process. The process is still ongoing.

MR HIRD: Floriade 1995 has been one of the most successful, if not the best, ever presented and those involved are to be commended. I direct a question to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr De Domenico, in respect of the sale of compost bins. How many were sold during this event?

MR DE DOMENICO: I thank Mr Hird for the question. I am delighted to confirm that this year's Floriade was the most successful Floriade ever. The sale of compost bins through Floriade was very successful, by anyone's estimation. As members are aware, this Government made an election commitment to provide compost bins to ACT householders at cost as an incentive to reduce household waste - in stark contrast, I might say, to the previous Government. We specifically made a site available for the sale of compost bins at Floriade and organised a promotional campaign to encourage ACT residents to use compost bins. Mr Speaker, I am pleased to say that a total of 4,100 compost bins were sold during Floriade. As an added bonus, Mr Speaker, worm farms were sold during Floriade as well. These provide a very useful method for people living in unit developments in particular to compost their kitchen scraps for use on indoor plants. A total of 1,760 worm farms were sold during Floriade.

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