Page 1283 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
What is less clear is how universities and employers are actually ensuring that this is the case. The decision by Minister Burch to institute a test is a clear demonstration that the ACT government is serious about only recruiting the best teachers and, to go back to an earlier point, it is clear the ACT government is committed to making sure that in front of every class and every student, at least in the public system, is a capable, well-qualified and supported teacher.
To close, I do not believe that the teaching profession is in a crisis of confidence or quality. I believe that the bulk of ACT teachers across all sectors do a fantastic job. However, we cannot simply rest on our laurels and hope that this continues. We must ensure that practices and systems align to deliver the best students to where they will do the most good in front of our children in classrooms.
It is clear from the minister’s statement that the ACT government is committed to teacher quality. Indeed, the government has shown leadership nationally in this area. It is also clear that the ACT government is in this for the long haul, dedicated to a permanent change in practice, culture and systems for the betterment of all ACT students. I congratulate the government for their efforts.
Debate (on motion by Mr Doszpot) adjourned to the next sitting.
Getting home safely report—implementation update
Ministerial statement
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Planning, Minister for Roads and Parking, Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Minister for Children and Young People and Minister for Ageing) (10.38), by leave: I rise to present the fourth update on the progress of the recommendations of the Getting home safely report. As members are aware, the report is the outcome of the inquiry commissioned by the government in 2012 into compliance with work health and safety requirements by the ACT’s construction industry. The report made 28 recommendations. The government accepted all of the recommendations and committed to presenting progress reports on their implementation to the Assembly.
At this point, I would like to acknowledge the support of all members of the Assembly in recognising the importance of work safety in workplaces in the territory. I would also like to acknowledge the support of industry groups, construction companies and workers and employee associations alike for their support and their endeavours to raise safety standards in the construction industry and to change the culture of the industry from one which accepted risk as a day-to-day way of working to one now accepting safety as a primary consideration.
I am pleased to announce, for a fourth successive time since the commissioning of the report, that there have been no fatalities in the ACT construction industry. Whilst this result is to be applauded, as I have constantly said, we must not be complacent. We need to continue to deliver the message that everyone in the construction industry has a responsibility to ensure their own safety and the safety of those around them. We need to continue to encourage and empower workers and employers to stand up and take responsibility for their rights and their safety, and for the safety of those around them.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video