Page 4693 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
about connecting those services to provide seamless service delivery for our young people, our children, who deserve our best support.
We have had a lot of yelling from the opposition today, but my amendment very clearly is not about supporting cuts to those most vulnerable in our education system. It is about understanding that the efficiency dividend is happening and that we need to ensure that it is not going to impact on those who need our assistance most. It also recognises, though, that the efficiency dividend needs to come into play. Those employees who will be affected need to know that in plenty of time before the end of the school year. They need to know where they may be redeployed. There needs to be those negotiations and those discussions. It cannot be dragged on further.
At the same time, I quite clearly state that the process needs to engage with the external stakeholders and the families and those areas that have also been mentioned around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, those children who have English as a second language and so forth. We need to ensure that it is not just kept as an internal discussion and that it engages with those who are impacted by it. We will be keeping a close eye on this to ensure that that does happen.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, you will need to move the amendment.
MS HUNTER: Yes. I am just getting to that. I think I have got six seconds left, thanks, Madam Deputy Speaker. I move the amendment that has been circulated in my name:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes:
(a) education is key in fostering an inclusive community;
(b) efficiency dividend cuts in the Department of Education and Training will always be difficult and have the potential to adversely impact education outcomes;
(c) the original efficiency dividend consultation process was not sufficient to assure school communities that they would have the opportunity to raise their concerns; and
(d) any efficiency dividend reforms will need to be finalised well before the end of the school year;
(2) reaffirms its commitment to the efficient delivery of high quality educational outcomes for all ACT students; and
(3) calls on the Government to thoroughly consult with the broader school community and community organisations on the impact of any proposed changes to student services.”.
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (11.08): Firstly, I congratulate Mr Doszpot on bringing this motion before the Assembly today and also on the resulting action, which has
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video