Page 634 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 March 2014
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MS BURCH: These are local decisions that are made by the school leadership. They know the students. They know the students’ needs. It is also not just the teachers that are the only resource. We have learning assistants and teachers aides in this school system as well. And all of that makes a contribution to the learning outcomes of those students.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, why have you not told parents about breaking the government’s promise of smaller class sizes?
MS BURCH: We in the ACT on this side of the chamber have a high regard for our public education system. Yesterday we had the aspirant, the shadow, Steve Doszpot, actually tear up any agreement and security of funding which would have been around student outcomes. So the Canberra Liberals explicitly voted not to support this government continuing to support student outcomes. The absolute audacity! Let’s reflect on yesterday’s motion—it called on this government to continue to invest in student outcomes, and those over there would not have a bar of it.
Mr Wall: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, on relevance, the question related to the minister potentially breaking a promise about smaller class sizes. Can you please draw her to answering the question?
MADAM SPEAKER: Would you repeat the question, please, Mr Doszpot. Stop the clock, please, Clerk.
Mr Doszpot: The question was: why have you not told parents about breaking the government’s promise of smaller class sizes?
MS BURCH: I have answered the question, Madam Speaker.
Tourism—events
MS BERRY: My question is to the Minister for Economic Development. Could the minister update the Assembly on the success of recent events in the ACT such as Enlighten, Canberra Day and the balloon spectacular?
MR BARR: I thank Ms Berry for the question and for her interest in the events portfolio. The Enlighten festival was held from 28 February to 8 March, and I think we can say, by any measure, it has been an outstanding success. Twelve cultural institutions and national attractions participated in this year’s festival. The diverse program featured a variety of events catering to a wide variety of tastes, including live performances, exhibitions, unique dining experiences, tours and talks. Stunning images were projected onto six buildings: the National Library, Questacon, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery, the Museum of Australian Democracy and Parliament House. There were a total of 57 free and ticketed events offered as part of the Enlighten program.
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