Page 4340 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 22 September 2010

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Only today in fact, I observed that a couple of members, when I spoke to them about this sort of process, were not aware that is exactly what would happen. So it may be worth while for the Speaker taking this up and put out a little screed or something like that. I thank members for supporting the suspension of standing orders.

Question put:

That Mr Hargreaves’s motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.

MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Gaming and Racing) (5:08): I thank the Assembly for the opportunity to speak in relation to broadband and its role in education. I think it is now accepted across the western world that broadband is the most vital tool in communication systems and is fundamental to the way education will work in the digital age.

Whilst the Canberra Institute of Technology and the University of Canberra are both major innovators in the use of broadband and digital technology, I intend to limit my comments this afternoon to the positive impact of these technologies in ACT schools. Since the advent of the digital education revolution, broadband technology has become increasingly important in how education systems are meeting the 21st century’s challenges.

In this context I think it is important to make it clear, though, that broadband is important but is not a substitute for quality teachers or quality teaching, which is the most important element to making our schools great places for learning. Rather, broadband is a key tool in increasing access to education. It enriches the system. It makes learning more challenging and exciting, complementing and enhancing what a dedicated teacher does in the classroom.

The ACT government have been working very hard to ensure that we are leading the broadband revolution in education. We have invested heavily in broadband and the digital education revolution because we believe that computer and digital literacy is as important to a student as being able to read and write or to do maths. It is simply an essential skill for young Canberrans living in the 21st century.

There is no doubt that the ACT has some of the best schools in the nation, as our NAPLAN results so clearly demonstrate. And broadband is certainly giving us the

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