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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (3 April) . . Page.. 1325 ..

MS GALLAGHER (continuing):

to set up in the ACT and a foreign university seeking to deliver university courses in the territory. We are now prepared with legislative cover for the process of recognising an applicant for university status in the ACT.

This is a long and detailed bill that reflects the spirit of national cooperation. I recognise the work of the Australian National Training Authority in leading the working groups that developed the model clauses that now form a central part of the VET provisions of this bill. I also recognise the Department of Education, Science and Training for its role in developing the national protocols for higher education. Most importantly, I recognise the work undertaken in all jurisdictions to support national consistency and improved quality assurance for education and training. I include my own department in this commendation.

I ask that members note that this bill moves the territory forward with an integrated approach to the registration of both vocational and non-university providers of education and training in the ACT.

Mr Speaker, I commend the bill to members for their consideration.

Debate (on motion by Mrs Burke ) adjourned to the next sitting.

Vocational Education and Training Bill 2003

Ms Gallagher , pursuant to notice, presented the bill and its explanatory statement.

MS GALLAGHER (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Women and Minister for Industrial Relations) (11.00): I move:

This bill, together with the Tertiary Accreditation Registration Bill 2003, provides for revised and updated vocational education and training and higher education legislation. As previously mentioned, these bills will give effect to ministerial agreements for national consistency in the regulation of vocational education and training and higher education.

The Vocational Education and Training Bill 2003 replaces the 1995 legislation, which will be repealed, and reflects the removal of all accreditation and registration processes to the new Tertiary Accreditation and Registration Bill 2003. This bill contains model clauses which, as I mentioned earlier, were developed after extensive consultation and agreed to by all states and territories. The model clauses in this bill relate to contracts of training which cover the relationship between the employer and their apprentice or trainee. There is now a national training agreement that all employers and apprentices around Australia sign-a direct result of the work towards national consistency in vocational education and training.

It is also timely to refresh the old act so that it covers vocational training as it is now in 2003, not as it was in 1995. There is now flexibility to introduce training into new and

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