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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 04 Hansard (Tuesday, 30 March 2004) . . Page.. 1353 ..

provided for in legislation. I think that is a very important part of this education bill, which the department and home educators have done a lot of work in developing.

My amendment relates to the definition of home education. The bill presented to us by the minister states that home education means education conducted by one or both of the child’s parents, mainly in the child’s home. We know that in reality the home education process occurs in quite diverse ways. It frequently involves learning outside the home, whether that be at the shops, at museums or at other facilities, and it also may involve working with other young people who are being home educated. I think the amendment to change the wording of the definition from “mainly in the child’s home” to “from a home base” more accurately reflects the situation for home educators at the moment.

MS TUCKER (9.16): As I understand it, the government is supporting this amendment. In discussion with the minister’s office on a number of matters, Ms Dundas has picked up on the term “preferred by the home educators”. We have not been able to ascertain any problems with our proposed amendments on home education matters, and I am pleased to see that the government is supporting this amendment.

MR PRATT (9.17): The Liberals will be supporting the Democrats’ amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 128, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 129 and 130, by leave, taken together and agreed to.

Clause 131.

MS TUCKER (9.18): I move amendment No 4 circulated in my name [see schedule 4 at page 1382]. This amendment picks up on key concerns expressed by the home education group, HENCAST. They are very supportive of the bill overall but argue that the department ought to be able to assure itself of the quality of education that home educated students enjoy, rather than make its judgement on the basis of accommodation and facilities. This amendment gives a chief executive officer the authority to examine the program, materials and records relating to that education. If the home educators cannot made those materials available as requested then, under clause 134 (1), the registration for home education can be cancelled.

Because the focus is on the educational experience and the quality of the educational work, my amendment No 6 seeks to oppose clauses 139 to 142 under part 5.3, which deals with the inspection of education premises.

MS GALLAGHER (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Women and Minister for Industrial Relations) (9.19): The government will be supporting this amendment. I think it is a useful addition to that section to have the requirement that, as a condition of registration for home education, those materials are made available so as to ensure the quality of the education provided in the home setting.

MR PRATT (9.19): The opposition will support that.

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