Page 1273 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 3 April 2019
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It is clear from the debate that all parties see the benefit of physical activity through sport and physical education in schools. I was heartened to hear Mr Rattenbury acknowledge that we can and should be doing more. I hope he will support me in holding the minister to account on that aspect of things.
Well-known Canberran and former ABC sports commentator Tim Gavel wrote an article in the RiotACT in July last year. His piece was headed “Why isn’t physical education viewed as important in our primary schools?” He said that from his experience as a parent and as a board member of the Physical Activity Foundation and through his involvement with School Sport ACT over the years, he believed that the sports program in primary schools was ad hoc at best. He said:
Some teach physical education very well but it can be hit and miss. It’s very much dependant on the teachers involved and their commitment to the benefits of physical education for children.
He praised the work of Dr Dick Telford, whose research had shown that children who spend more time per week undertaking physical activity improved their NAPLAN scores between year 3 and year 6, compared with less active children. Mr Rattenbury referenced that too. Mr Gavel also asks the question:
But if we are so concerned as a society about kids watching too much television or being on their screens all day with little desire for exercise, why aren’t we doing more to solve the problem?
Indeed.
This motion came about because I have had parents, teachers and members of the general Canberra community express to me a concern that the government’s own policy on sport and PE in schools was not being met. I note that in the minister’s amendments she does not acknowledge that aspect of it. So I urge the minister, who is also the Minister for Sport and Recreation, to review the physical education policy that her directorate has adopted and ask how and whether this is being supported in our schools, particularly, in our primary schools, and whether more could and should be done to deliver on that policy commitment. I look forward to hearing the report that the minister is going to bring back to the Assembly on that.
Amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Sitting suspended from 12.16 to 2.00 pm.
Questions without notice
Canberra Health Services—consent for procedures
MR COE: My question is for the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Minister, what does it take to substantiate a patient’s claim that she was “forced into a vaginal examination without consent”?
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