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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 04 Hansard (Tuesday, 30 March 2004) . . Page.. 1315 ..

Question so resolved in the negative.

Amendments negatived.

MS DUNDAS (5.10): Mr Speaker, I move amendment No 2 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 1375]. This seems like a small amendment in that it is inserting the words “independent and” into clause 18(d)(vi) in principles for government schools. It is quite important in encouraging students to become independent and effective local and global citizens. The reason why I am moving this amendment is that when you read the bill as whole and look at the principles for government schools, non-government schools and for home education, in some ways they are quite diverse and distinct. There is no reason for such large discrepancies. Some discrepancies are necessary, such as the commitment to spiritual development in the non-government school sector. Other clauses unintentionally seek to produce two classes of students: one of followers from government schools and one of leaders from non-government schools.

The principles for non-government schools include that the non-government school sector is committed to preparing students for their full participation in all aspects of democratic society. That is a lofty goal to achieve. It is about encouraging students to understand their rights and their responsibilities as citizens. Government schools were just preparing students to be effective citizens, not necessarily taking on leadership roles within the democracy. Becoming independent and effective local and global citizens brings this principle in line with the home education principle and I think makes sure that government schools are encouraging students to be the best that they can, which is a very important and fundamental principle.

If the Assembly is willing to support the insertion of the words “independent and” into the amendment, it will allow us to tackle some of the discrepancies that do not need to be there between government and non-government schools, to put students from both sectors on equal footing and to support students, no matter what school they go to, to be the best they possibly can within the community.

I understand that it is quite hard to change these principles drastically as they were developed in consultation with the stakeholders. Stakeholders did put a lot of time into making sure that their words reflected what they thought was best for their schools, but looking at them in concert with the bill, I think there are some discrepancies that need to be addressed. I hope the Assembly can see the merit in this proposal.

MS GALLAGHER (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Women and Minister for Industrial Relations) (5.13): The government is happy to support this amendment. We are also very supportive of preparing students to be

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