Page 3148 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 17 October 2006
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communities, that the approach that I have taken to this consultation round will continue to the conclusion of the consultation and to the decision-making process.
In spite of any assurances I might give, I am sure that those opposite and the community will, in the end, make their judgments on the government’s final decisions. We will, of course, seek to examine all the issues that are raised with us in some detail and with an open mind. I have done that so far throughout the consultation process. I can give a personal undertaking that I will continue to do that. I am sure my colleagues in the government will do so as well.
However, I acknowledge that, in the end, those opposite and those in the community will draw their own conclusions on the basis of the government’s deliberations, the information that we publish and our final decisions. It is certainly my intention to continue what has been a significant and comprehensive engagement process in which we have sought to hear the views of all in the community. It has been a process that has been very important for our public education system.
There has been a need for a genuine debate about the future of our system and how we can strengthen it. One of the real positives that have emerged from this process is that, in spite of all the doom and gloom from many in the debate, there has been an increase in enrolments and interest in government schools for next year. Certainly there has been an increase in enrolments for year 7 and into our college system.
The ANU Secondary College, for example, has been very popular, with increased student interest. We have also seen increased interest in the high school application process within the community. I am very pleased to see that, in spite of all the doom and gloom about the end of our public education system, we have seen increased interest. That is fantastic and it is something that the government seeks to build on.
Mrs Dunne: An increase in first round offers is not an increase in enrolments.
MR BARR: Mrs Dunne, you may seek to talk down our public education system. You take every opportunity to do so.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Barr, direct your comments through the chair, please.
MR BARR: Every time there is a little bit of good news, Mr Speaker, about how we might be able to turn around our public education system and address the decline in enrolments and the drift into the private system, Mrs Dunne comes out and opposes it and has something bad to say. Time after time she seeks to talk the system down. Fortunately, the people of Canberra are not listening to her.
We are seeing increased interest in our system. The government is investing money in innovative educational models and new ideas, such as the ANU Secondary College. It is a fine example of how we have sought to work with the university to create an innovative educational product that is attractive to students. Look at what has happened. We have had an increase in enrolments in the college sector as a result of that initiative, amongst others. It is very important that we continue to be innovative and to invest money in our education system. That is what this government will do.
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