Page 490 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 8 March 2011
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MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, how does the ACT compare with other states?
MR BARR: The ACT has the best performance of all states and territories. We have, of course, a higher socioeconomic basis for our population and, equally, our Indigenous population. So one would anticipate, as a starting point, the ACT would perform better. But again, there are literally hundreds of different measures that one could look at but across the board, as a general statement of principle and a general statement of performance, the ACT is doing better than all other states and territories.
Education—teacher registration
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. A reason provided by the government for the rushed passing of the ACT Teacher Quality Institute Act in December last year was so that teachers could be registered in the lead-up to the start of the 2011 school year. Section 95 of the Teacher Quality Institute Act states that “the Minister may determine fees for this Act”. Subsequently, the Teacher Quality Institute website advises that new teachers will be required to pay a $100 registration renewal fee, while existing teachers in the ACT are exempt from this for 2011 and 2012. Minister, what criteria did you use to come up with $100 as the registration fee and what will this money be used for? How much money will the government raise from this fee?
MR BARR: The figure is, as I understand it, comparable with other states and territories and the funding goes towards the administration of the particular institute.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, a supplementary question?
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, can you tell us if there is an equivalent scheme in New South Wales or in other states? If so, what are the fees?
MR BARR: Other states and territories have a fee-based structure for teacher registration. I do not have the costings in front of me for each state and territory, but I am sure that a bit of research will be able to provide that information for Mr Doszpot.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, why do new teachers have to pay a fee but existing teachers are exempt in 2011 and 2012?
MR BARR: We sought to apply the new arrangements fairly, to ensure that those teachers who are already teaching within the system have a process applied to them. Of course there is a starting point for teacher registration, that is, 2011, and it is appropriate for new teachers and new people who enter the system to come in out of that basis.
MRS DUNNE: Supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
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