Page 4705 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
structural arrangements that will enable greater continuity of curriculum provision. There is a particular quote from the secondary college review that is pertinent:
While there is much to admire in current effort and achievement in colleges, there is also a need for fundamental change in core aspects of culture, structure and practice to ensure the continuing effectiveness of the model.
We must have these debates. They are critical to the future of vocational education and training in this territory and I will not shy away from looking at the Tasmanian model and those in other Australian jurisdictions and elsewhere. There is a lot to learn from the experiences and practices elsewhere, as we are not the only jurisdiction in Australia seeking to grapple with these issues. It is important that we take an open mind to these and that we do not just parrot the views of the Tasmanian education union, which Mr Doszpot appears to be content to do. The day that the AEU in Tasmania determines education policy in the ACT will be a very sad day for this territory.
In closing, I would just like to respond to the comments of the scrutiny committee. I thank them for the valuable contribution they have made to the clarity of the bill’s intent and can advise the Assembly that their comments will be given ongoing consideration and may result in future amendments. The committee highlighted the tension between the rights of the child and the rights of parents in relation to decision making. Decisions regarding exemption and approval of training and employment options will be taken on a case-by-case basis, assessing the relevant factors comprising the circumstances of each child. With this in mind, there are a whole range of safeguards regarding considerations of the chief executive, such as the Human Rights Act, the Children and Young People Act and administrative law provisions.
This is not to say that parental preference for their child is not relevant but simply that, by the very nature of exemptions being for exceptional circumstances, there may be circumstances such as poor health of the parent that mean the right of the child assumes greater importance. I am about to run out of time, but in closing I thank members for their support of this bill. Today is a very significant day in education and training.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Government—achievements
Ministerial statement
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Minister for Transport, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Business and Economic Development,
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video