Page 2101 - Week 10 - Thursday, 26 October 1989
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Thursday, 26 October 1989
_________________________
MR SPEAKER (Mr Prowse) took the chair at 10.30 am and read the prayer.
SCHOOLS AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989
MR WHALAN (Minister for Industry, Employment and Education) (10.30): I present the Schools Authority (Amendment) Bill 1989. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
In August this year the Government established the ministerial consultative committee on schooling to provide me, as the Minister responsible for education, with a consultative forum and a source of independent advice on issues relating to government schooling in the ACT.
The consultative committee replaces the Schools Authority advisory committee which provided advice to the Chief Education Officer of the former Schools Authority. The purpose of the Schools Authority (Amendment) Bill is to formalise this change by repealing provisions of the Schools Authority Act relating to the advisory committee.
The establishment of the new consultative committee does not imply any criticism of the advisory committee; rather the Government believes it is preferable to have an arrangement whereby the Minister responsible for ACT government schools receives advice on issues relating to those schools directly from those most closely involved.
The consultative committee has an independent chairman, Mr Alan Burnett, who formerly chaired the Schools Authority advisory committee. The consultative committee's membership consists of three parent members nominated by the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations, one parent member nominated by the Canberra Preschool Society, three nominees of the ACT Teachers Federation, one nominee of the Public Sector Union and two student members nominated by the ACT Secondary Students Council.
Thus, for the first time, a forum has been provided for direct and regular consultation between the Minister and representatives of the parents, teachers, unions and students. I sought the committee's advice on the budget proposals relating to the government school system. The advice I received was constructive, informative and well presented. I have met with the consultative committee on five occasions and have been impressed by the energy, commitment and understanding of its members.
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