Page 268 - Week 01 - Thursday, 12 February 2015
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MR CORBELL: Absolutely, very committed—committed even though we report on measures that we no longer get funding for from the federal government, despite that being a condition of signing up to new reporting arrangements. This administration has committed to continue to report on a broad range of measures. We even report on performance against measures for which the federal Liberal Party has withdrawn the contingent funding. So we remain very committed to that regular reporting framework.
Schools—safety
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. It is reported today that a person attached to a community group visited an ACT school without a working with vulnerable people card. Regarding the safety of students, does responsibility lie with the school, the directorate or the community group to verify that such checks have been done before engaging with students?
MS BURCH: I do thank Ms Lawder for her question. The responsibility rests with the organisation or the volunteer group that is going into the school. Also there are very clear protocols and expectations from the schools, when they have people brought into the premises, about what the requirements are.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: As education minister, what was your involvement in facilitating the events reported by the Canberra Times? Did you give directions or guidance to your directorate or staff to facilitate visits by this person?
MS BURCH: The answer is no.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, did the directorate take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the students? Did you give directions or guidance to your directorate or staff to facilitate the visits by this person?
MS BURCH: I refer Mr Doszpot to the question just before. The answer was no.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, does the government have systemic failures regarding the implementation of the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011?
Mr Corbell: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: A point of order, Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: The minister for education is not responsible for the operation of the working with vulnerable people checks act.
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