Page 1209 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 May 2006
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something that we picked off a shelf at Woolies and whacked in the ground. They were actually the progeny of those trees which, unfortunately, had to be removed to put through there the massive roadway of which you disagree. I have noticed, incidentally, that lots of people have said to us, “That was a really good idea. If you have taken out these trees and put in the sons and daughters of those trees next to that big roadway, that was a really good thing to do.” I have noticed that congratulation of that has been singularly missing from the Save the Ridge group and from the Greens party of Australia. I thought that, just as my colleague Mr Barr will not live long enough to see these guys come on board with education, we will not live long enough to see the Greens congratulate us on doing something well.
DR FOSKEY: Could the minister please explain why the action plan, No 9, for Swainsona recta has not been updated online, which is the only way we can view it, since 1997, given that a new population was found in October 2003 and despite a commitment within the action plan to review the position after three years?
Mr Pratt: You are not safe.
MR HARGREAVES: I am beginning to feel like an endangered species, such that I do not want to go down the Gungahlin Drive extension before it is completed. Mr Speaker, in answer to Dr Foskey’s question, no.
Australian National University—secondary college
MS PORTER: Mr Speaker, my question, through you, is to the Chief Minister. I understand that earlier this afternoon you officially opened the new ANU secondary college with the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Ian Chubb. What has been the involvement of the ACT government in the establishment of the college and how has it been received by students and parents?
MR STANHOPE: I thank Ms Porter for the question. I am very pleased to be able to inform the Assembly today about the beginning of what is, I think, a great partnership that will have significant benefit for ACT students and the Canberra community for years to come. At the heart of our philosophy that drives government schools is essentially the philosophy that drives the Australian National University: excellence, delivered in a culture of accessibility. Today that shared philosophy between ACT education and the Australian National University gave birth to what I think is a tremendous idea which I first discussed, interestingly, with Professor Chubb when we were on a joint delegation to China some little time ago.
One of the ACT government’s priorities, which is set out in the social plan and which drives very much this government, is to create a society, a community, that has available a network of learning opportunities that allows every member of our society to reach their potential, whatever their capacity, whatever their age and whatever their income or personal circumstance. For our students, this means not only providing assistance for those who may struggle academically but also providing opportunities for our highest achieving students.
The ANU secondary college initiative is a means of ensuring that those with the capacity for deeper engagement and more intense understanding than the regular curriculum
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