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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (20 November) . . Page.. 3848 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

means that you end up going back to a less diverse curriculum. "Enhanced" implies improved. I do not think it is about enhancing the principle of devolution to schools of curriculum and management in a sense appropriate to the community. As I said, I believe that it is an economic imperative and it is entirely consistent with the Liberal Party's policies across the board.

Another danger of this form of school-based management is that it provides governments with the opportunity to pass the buck on responsibility for public education. Once schools hold the purse strings and have to make decisions themselves on how to allocate resources with a shrinking resource base, governments can wipe their hands of the ramifications and say, "It was not us. This principal was a bad manager". We have already seen that happen. This distancing of government is also of concern, certainly to the Greens.

I will seek leave from members to amend this motion. I have had a meeting with Mr Stefaniak and Mr Moore about a request I made that the Government produce a paper on the equity implications of school-based management. An amendment has been circulated to members. I seek leave to move it.

MR SPEAKER: Is leave granted?

Mr Moore: I think Ms Tucker has to explain why she is seeking leave and not just moving the amendment, Mr Speaker. It is because there is an order of the day that she is superseding. Is that not right?

MR SPEAKER: Did you wish to explain why you need leave or do you want me to, Ms Tucker?

MS TUCKER: I thought seeking leave was probably quicker. I know that members do not want to stay here for a long time on this discussion. If I seek to suspend standing orders and move the motion, then we will - - -

Mr Moore: It is a matter of whether you just move the amendment or whether you seek leave. I understand that you are seeking leave because you are anticipating business on the notice paper.

MS TUCKER: That is right. I was assuming that no-one in this place had a problem with it. I apologise for not discussing it. I thought it would avoid a debate on the issue.

MR SPEAKER: For members' interest, the reference on the notice paper is at page 1004, notice No. 22. Is leave granted for Ms Tucker to move her amendment?

Leave granted.

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