Page 2405 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 31 July 2018
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MS FITZHARRIS: I certainly do not believe so. It was a very lengthy question. I am not familiar with the interview given on 23 July. I will take the question on notice. As I said in my previous answer, there was commentary and discussion in the estimates committee in June. There have been subsequent reports and public statements. What I have said today I understand has been covered in previous public statements. If not, as I said, there is recognition that there have been particular issues with the radiology training accreditation. It is important to note that it is accreditation for training and does not relate specifically to patient care.
MR HANSON: Minister, did you or any of the officials present at the estimates committee hearings on 21 June realise that the Chief Medical Officer may have misled the committee by failing to provide that full answer to the committee? If so, what action have you taken?
MS FITZHARRIS: As I said earlier, I do not believe at all that that is the case. Further information has come to light because ACT Health, particularly the Chief Medical Officer, has been working very hard on this over the month between the estimates committee hearing and subsequently in July. I will take the details of the question on notice.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, were you aware of issues facing the accreditation of training in the radiology department on 21 June 2018 or before 21 June 2018, and had briefing notes been prepared for you for estimates on this issue?
MS FITZHARRIS: Yes. That is why I invited the Chief Medical Officer to address the committee and answer the committee’s questions on this matter.
Education—early childhood strategy
MR STEEL: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development. Can the minister update the Assembly on the work towards an ACT early childhood strategy?
MS BERRY: I thank Mr Steel for his question and his interest in early childhood education. The ACT government took a commitment to the 2016 ACT election to develop for the first time a comprehensive early childhood strategy for the ACT. Our fundamental belief is that educational equity requires a renewed focus on equitable access to high quality early childhood learning and development opportunities.
Committing to a strategy responds to that belief and the government’s aim to provide a comprehensive joined-up policy framework to guide the delivery of early childhood services and to coordinate education, health and community service provision. The strategy will lay out key plans and further work that the government needs to undertake to make sure that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, is set up for success in life.
The work began with an initial discussion paper last year and since that time the education directorate has been deep in discussion with key stakeholders through a
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