Page 5030 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 28 November 2018
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for any teacher. But under this government it is clear that this has not been valued or promoted as much as it should be. We should be promoting, supporting and encouraging our teachers into language education. It is about saying to our teachers, “We know it takes an extraordinary commitment to learn a second language to the level of proficiency required to teach it. We value your dedication; we value your commitment to equipping our next generation for a global future.”
We want to make sure that our children’s futures are not limited by geographic boundaries because they lack the skills to effectively communicate with large parts of the world. We want to be a city that prepares our children for a future that is not limited by geographic borders, a future where communication skills would become more and more important, a future where our children can not only be what they want to be but also do it where they want to do it.
All of this requires commitment and a recognition that languages are important to our future, and that languages are important in preparing our students for the new employment framework that the Foundation for Young Australians talks about. There is no point in having glossy brochures and a compendium of policies if there is no real thought given to what is actually needed for a future that is becoming more and more global—and, in any event, are not actually being implemented in the classrooms, anyway.
The Canberra Liberals will continue to call for a better deal for languages in ACT schools, even if those on the other side of the chamber do not see it as a priority. Our future generation deserves a world-class education system that will prepare them to be not only good Canberrans but leaders in a global world.
Amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Valedictory
MS CODY (Murrumbidgee) (6.31): I rise today to say, “Wow, what a year: another year being an elected representative in this place.” What a fantastic opportunity. It has been a wonderful year. It has been an experience yet again. Every year just gets better and better.
I would like to take a moment to thank my staff for helping me through this year and to thank my caucus colleagues for all of their banter and support and for ongoing encouragement for standing up for rights in our community. I would like to thank all the OLA staff here in the Assembly for the work they do to help us sit, to help us do
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