Page 3499 - Week 11 - Thursday, 19 September 2013
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the government. It is one of the most complex infrastructure projects we will have embarked upon to date, and the governance of the project needs to be overseen by people with the skills and capability to do that and with significant experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and potentially projects that engage the private sector significantly. So we will be looking very carefully at the skills needed for the chair of the board of the Capital Metro Agency, who will be an independent chair, not a public servant. We will also be making sure that the project director is someone who has the expertise and experience in similar large-scale, transport-related infrastructure projects to drive the development of this project.
I am pleased to say that the government has had a very strong field from which to draw upon, and that is a great indicator of the interest in this project from people nationally with the skills and expertise to bring to this project. As I said, we expect to make an announcement very soon in relation to those two very important positions, and I am confident those two appointees, when they are announced, will be very well received by industry and the broader community. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, are you, as the minister responsible for capital metro, going to be responsible for the appointment, or does responsibility for the appointment of the project director and chairperson lie with the subcommittee of cabinet?
MR CORBELL: Like all significant appointments, they will be considered by cabinet in the appropriate way. The appointment of the project director is the responsibility of the board of the Capital Metro Agency. The board consults with me in relation to who they propose to appoint. In relation to the chair of the board, that is an appointment which is endorsed by the cabinet.
Education—gifted and talented students
MS BERRY: My question is to the minister for education. Minister, I understand that you recently announced a community consultation process for a review of policies for gifted and talented students. Can you outline for the Assembly the purpose of the review as well as the consultation process and time line?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Berry for her interest. Research shows that gifted and talented students represent about 10 per cent of the school population. These students are potentially our future leaders and innovators and we need to recognise that they need additional attention to ensure that they reach their full potential. The current education directorate’s gifted and talented students policy was developed in 2008 to help school principals to effectively meet the needs of their gifted and talented students. It is therefore timely for a review.
Since 2008 there has been considerable change in our understanding of how best to identify and engage our gifted and talented students. As part of the policy review we know the importance of hearing the views of parents, students, teachers, researchers and the wider Canberra community.
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