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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 5 Hansard (11 May) . . Page.. 1487 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

Mr Speaker, today I am responding to Report No. 3 of the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Education, Community Services and Recreation on Educational Services for Students with a Disability that was tabled in the Assembly on 15 February this year.

The provision of educational services for students with disabilities is an essential area of concern for the community and the Government. It is a complex area that requires ongoing evaluation and development.

The Government is proud of the achievements that it has made in the area of special education in recent years. Some additional funding for existing services is proposed in the 2000-2001 Budget.

Recent initiatives include the establishment of a more extensive and flexible range of services in mainstream schools and preschools, including autism specific programs and new learning support units.

In the ACT we are fortunate to have a comprehensive range of programs for students with disabilities. The Department of Education and Community Services provides special schools, learning support units located in mainstream schools, a number of specialist classes and a model of supported inclusion in mainstream schools.

Parents and carers are then able to choose from a number of options depending on the individual needs of the child.

The Department of Education and Community Services is unique and innovative in that it is responsible for both Education and Children's Youth and Family Services This has enabled us to provide a coordinated, consultative approach to our students.

My department is constantly reviewing and improving the provision of services. The Inquiry into Educational Services for Students with a Disability has assisted by the identification of some system needs.

We are supportive of many of the recommendations as they confirm our desire to work effectively across all departments to provide a comprehensive and relevant service.

The Committee has made some twenty recommendations as a result of deliberations. The Government agrees with fourteen recommendations. supports the intent or spirit of five and disagrees with one.

The Government has supported the intent of five of the Committee's recommendations but differs with the Committee on the implementation, particularly where the Committee's recommendations would lead to additional cost.

The recommendation that is not supported refers to a practice that is already in place.

Notwithstanding, the Government agrees with fourteen of the twenty recommendations made by the Committee. I will make detailed comments on the major issues effected by these recommendations.

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