Page 5169 - Week 12 - Thursday, 27 October 2011
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aged 50 to 69. We know that there will be a proportion of the women in that age group who do not look forward to having their breasts screened, and it is about trying to reach them.
The Capital Region Cancer Service and BreastScreen ACT do a pretty good job at trying to raise that rate. It is through raising awareness of the benefits of early detection and prevention that we will continue to grow that rate. I am not aware of any other jurisdiction that would be largely ahead of the ACT in this area, but anything you can do, Mr Hanson, to encourage women in that age group to undertake their screens through BreastScreen ACT and support the work that is being done there will be greatly appreciated.
In the area of time for assessment and having screens read, there has been pressure in terms of workforce, and there has also been some pressure in the change to digital mammography and having to get that system in place that has presented us with some delays. But the latest data I have seen is very positive now that digital mammography and reading of those screens is fully operational.
Schools—staff cutbacks
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, the President of the Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, known as ATESOL, and the Australian Education Union have written to you recently about the declining support for ESL teachers in ACT public schools. Is your department still planning to cut one of the two ESL executive officer positions?
MR BARR: Firstly, I need to correct a premise within Mr Doszpot’s question. In fact, the government has put additional resources into English as a second language within the education system. I would refer the member to recent budget papers to confirm that fact. In relation to administrative matters within the Education and Training Directorate, that particular area within the literacy and numeracy section is undergoing a restructure. With the finalisation of that restructure there will be an announcement in relation to those positions.
MR DOSZPOT: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, can you tell us when this latest backflip occurred? Can you provide copies of policy direction change in relation to ESL executive officer positions at risk?
MR BARR: There has been no backflip, Mr Speaker.
MR COE: Supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, the government gave a commitment in the 2008 election to provide additional ESL staff to schools over a four-year period. Has there been any
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