Page 3407 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 23 September 2015
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MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, what systemic or cultural problems exist which restrict teachers’ ability to seek support for students with complex needs?
MS BURCH: There is no system failure or holding back of teachers seeking to access the expertise that sits within our network student engagement team. We have experts in central office. We have a targeted focus on supporting all kids—those with challenging behaviours, those with disabilities, those from non-English speaking backgrounds and others—to make sure that every student, regardless of their abilities or capacities, is supported and engaged to get a quality education.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what have you done to assure yourself and the community that members of the expert panel do not have a substantial conflict of interest?
MS BURCH: I am absolutely assured that they do not have a conflict of interest. That very question from the Canberra Liberals over there, who are repeating the words of Bob Buckley, is damaging. You are bringing those people’s reputation into question, Mr Doszpot, and I think that is appalling.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, has the government perpetuated the problems in the directorate by taking so long to finalise the report?
MS BURCH: I am not quite sure if Mr Doszpot is referring to the concluded EBA report or to the expert panel report that is yet to be delivered to government.
Women—domestic violence
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Minister for Women. Minister, the ACT government recently signed the second implementation plan under the ACT prevention of violence against women and children strategy 2011-2017. What are the priority areas the government will be focusing on under the plan?
MS BERRY: I thank Dr Bourke for the question. We know that violence against women is recognised as one of the most widespread yet hidden forms of human rights abuse in our community. The tragic deaths from domestic violence earlier this year in the ACT, and more recently in Queensland, are a stark reminder to all of us about the serious impact that domestic and family violence has in our community.
The second implementation plan under the ACT prevention of violence against women and children strategy 2011-2017 covers the period from 2015 to 2017. One of the primary principles informing the ACT strategy is the need to encourage actions that provide the government and the community with opportunities to demonstrate their stand against domestic violence. This principle is reflected in the first of the five key areas in the ACT strategy, which is to drive a whole-of-community and government action to prevent violence and create an anti-violence culture.
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