Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Wednesday, 25 August 2004) . . Page.. 4199 ..

There also needs to be more consideration of the type of training such a program would deliver. It, as I said, should deliver the skills that kids are interested in. These skills should be delivered by qualified trades people, ideally in partnership with school and community groups. If we’re going to have a program like this it has to be different from the work experience programs already on offer and provide a vehicle for kids to get real educational and vocational outcomes which are meaningful to them and which will lead to employment.

On that point also: I don’t know—because I didn’t listen closely to every word Ms Dundas said—whether she said this, but this actually is something that could be very interesting for students with a disability. I had an email just yesterday from a parent really concerned because she has a daughter or a son—I can’t remember—a child with a disability who’s at the point of wanting to find employment and can’t get even work experience because no-one’s prepared to take that young person on. If you had something like this that was looking at their needs, that would be also very valuable. In fact, I mentioned to that constituent this motion and this conversation because I think it’s quite relevant—maybe not for her child but hopefully for others in the future.

I also think there needs to be consideration of how to make the type of program. Ms Dundas was suggesting making it attractive for kids at risk and some analysis of whether there is sufficient demand for such a program. That’s why I’m supporting Ms Gallagher’s amendment. I’m interested to hear from the youth organisations and from the kids themselves about the type of training they would enjoy.

I do support the intention of this motion and think that Ms Gallagher’s amendment is a useful addition, although I can understand why there was a desire to have some quick action on this. I think we just need to do a little bit more work, a little bit more consultation with youth organisations and the kids we’re proposing to assist.

Sitting suspended from 6.29 to 8.00 pm.

MRS BURKE (8.00): I also wanted to acknowledge and thank Ms Dundas for placing this motion on the notice paper for us to debate this evening. I would make a few overall comments about the parts to the motion.

MR SPEAKER: If I can interrupt for a moment, I remind you that we are speaking to the amendment moved by Ms Gallagher.

MRS BURKE: Can I speak to the whole?

MR SPEAKER: You can speak to them both.

MRS BURKE: Thank you. I wish to speak to the whole and to the amendment, which I will be supporting. I will explain my reasons for that as we go through. I think Ms Dundas raises some very important facts. She has given us some statistics in (a), (b) and (c). I will not go into those, but I would say that sometimes it is a challenge even to get these young people to attend school on a regular basis, for the very reasons Ms Dundas cites in part (a) of her motion.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .