Page 2927 - Week 08 - Thursday, 25 June 2009
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students with a disability, it is important that we include all students in ACT schools, non-government and government alike. The minister finally recognised this when he performed his double backflip with pike—as Mr Hargreaves likes to say—and graciously included students that attended non-government schools in the terms of reference of the Shaddock review.
Sadly, it has taken 2½ months of ongoing pressure by the opposition, followed by a strong stance by Catholic and independent school groups and the ACT Parents and Friends Association, to persuade the minister that he was wrong for not including them in the first instance. We first called on Mr Barr to include students with a disability that attended non-government schools in the Shaddock review on 29 April this year. His consistent response was a resounding no. He did not see the need to include this section of the student population. On ABC radio on 17 June, the minister said:
I wouldn’t wade into the non-government school system without an invitation particularly in relation to teaching and curriculum.
This is from the minister for the whole education system. I am consistently being contacted by families from both non-government and government schools who have provided anecdotal evidence of a gap in services and long waiting lists for families of students with a disability, regardless of where they attend school. Their needs must be addressed in the same way across the board and the reform process must be consistent. The ACT Education Act 2004 clearly states that education should aim to develop every child’s potential and maximise educational achievements. This would also apply to non-government students. The ACT Human Rights Act 2004 also applies to all students with a disability. The issue of post-school options is one that causes a great deal of angst to families of young adults with a disability. There are so many added pressures on families as their child with a disability gets older.
The difficulties with respite care and the shortage of work placements available mean an added burden on the family carer. To highlight the difficulty in finding work, I recently asked a question on notice of the Chief Minister to try and ascertain exactly how many employees of the ACT government are identified as having a disability and the answer was 1.6 per cent of the entire ACT government in full-time, permanent employment; 1.86 per cent in permanent part-time employment; and 1.48 in casual employment. We must start to set an example for industry and we have a long way to go. I look forward to the committee’s findings and recommendations on the issues facing families of students with a disability. I am very pleased to support this motion.
MS BURCH (Brindabella) (10.28): This motion and amendment refer to a very important issue to the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs. The issue is the needs of ACT students with a disability. This government takes the needs of children and young people with disabilities, particularly their educational needs, very seriously. This is evident in the significant financial commitment that this government has made to students with disabilities in both government and non-government sectors. The old public-private debate is over and we are supporting all children in all schools. I am looking forward to getting out into the community to hear firsthand about parents’ and students’ experiences and concerns. I am also
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