Page 835 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 27 February 2013
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experiencing this at the moment because they all set their discount rate to the long-term average of the 10-year commonwealth bond rate.
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: That was not your question, Mr Smyth.
MR BARR: So this jurisdiction, along with every other jurisdiction, has experienced a write-down in this particular area of budgeting because the current 10-year commonwealth bond rate is lower than the long-term average.
But there will be times in the future over the period between now and 2030 where it will be reasonable to presume that that rate will be above current long-term average. So the issues that Mr Smyth and others are so concerned about today will seem less pertinent.
Schools—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
MR WALL: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, I refer to the report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education tabled yesterday. The report identifies 31 ACT primary schools as “focus schools”, which means they have an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student population with the greatest need. The report also states that these schools were identified in 2010 and will not change regardless of any fluctuation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolments. Minister, given this, how can you be sure resources are being directed to the students in need of the most support and effort?
MS BURCH: I am glad that Mr Wall has read this, and I reflect on his participation in the annual reports hearings where he showed a genuine interest in the achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
There is a list. To say that these are chiselled in stone and will not be moved in any way, shape or form is not a premise I accept. This report reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education matters from 2012 to 2013. There will be another plan to make sure that we target our efforts to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait students beyond that.
These schools reflect a higher than average enrolment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. These are the schools that have the right focus. If you look at our achievements today, there is still more work to do. But if we look over a number of indicators, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve well when we compare them to other states and territories. I think that is reflected because we have this targeted approach with personalised learning plans and efforts into particular schools. These schools are listed on page 23 of the report. I am glad Mr Wall has read it, and I look forward to his continuing interest in what we do with these students.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, did any of the 31 “focus schools” report any change in their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolment numbers at the end of 2012?
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