Page 379 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
appreciation of the consultative efforts that have been shown in the drafting of this bill and the accompanying regulations.
In the opposition’s briefing on this bill there were a number of areas for discussion which we hope that the directorate will be working towards post haste. Under the information-sharing provisions, it is necessary for the Director-General to be satisfied that the child has an understanding of the information being given, the reason it is being given, and who it is being given to. Exactly how the Director-General will satisfy themselves of this understanding is not clear at this stage. However, the opposition were assured that the directorate would be working on this, and we look forward to hearing what procedures are put in place on that as we move forward.
In the process of the opposition’s consultations with stakeholders, we discussed the implications of the bill with both the Association of Independent Schools and the ACT branch of Catholic Education. Both meetings illustrated that the AIS and the CEO were happy to work with the minister to address issues arising out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Our meetings with the directorate fleshed out why the broad wording has been introduced through regulation.
However, the opposition’s discussions with the AIS did raise a possible difficulty that this bill might impose for principals of independent schools. The bill creates an obligation upon the employer of a teacher to inform the TQI of various changes in a teacher’s registration status. Government schools and the Catholic education system will be affected differently, as their peak body is considered the employer of the teachers. However, due to their unique structure, each principal of an independent school will be obliged to make such reports. We bring this up to flag to the government the possible need for improved specificity around the definition of the employer of a teacher, to ensure that an undue burden is not placed on principals of independent schools.
Ms Lee’s office was also concerned in examining the bill to note that there is no definition in the bill, the TQI Act or the Education Act as to exactly what “the employer of a teacher” means. Although there has not yet been an issue, the opposition would encourage the minister to consider defining this term in future amendments, as a broad interpretation could lead to other employers of part-time teachers being bound by the obligations under the bill regardless of their connection to the education sector.
In spite of these issues yet to be ironed out and minor definitional concerns, the Canberra Liberals will be supporting this piece of legislation. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (11.14): The Greens are pleased to support this bill, which improves the processes around information sharing and registrations to ensure that children in our schools are protected and kept safe. The ACT Greens recognise that, to get the best possible education, our children need the best possible teachers and great leadership from our principals. We respect the roles our teachers and learning assistants play in an increasingly complex school environment. While the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video