Page 3568 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 19 October 1993

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Physical Education in Schools

MR LAMONT: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for Education. I refer him to a number of press reports over the latter part of last year about physical education in schools. Could the Minister inform the Assembly as to the status of the physical education and sport consultative committee's report into physical education in the ACT?

MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, it was, I think, released yesterday or today by the secretary of the department, Ms Cheryl Vardon. The report has given consideration to matters affecting the way that physical education is taught in our schools. Obviously, we will be looking at that report and deciding what action may proceed as a result. I might point out that at the time, I think last year, that Mr Lamont mentioned, and again recently, after the Olympics, there has been quite a deal of comment about the teaching of sport and physical education in this Territory. I think that comment has been generated by enthusiasts in that area who have been able to gain some media profile because, I guess, it is a bit more newsy than the approaches I get on the same sort of thing from people who may be interested in advancing literature or science or art. There are no fewer enthusiasts in those areas pushing claims for more and more resources than there are in the area of physical education.

I believe that physical education is well taught in our schools. I make a particular point that it is well taught in primary schools, because there were some comments about the ability of our primary school teachers to do that. It is very well taught in primary schools and I think the children that we turn out from those schools are fit and healthy and have a wide variety of physical skills.

Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper, Madam Speaker.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

MR LAMONT: Madam Speaker, I rise to make a personal explanation, pursuant to standing order 46.

MADAM SPEAKER: I grant you leave, Mr Lamont.

MR LAMONT: Thank you. This morning on the Matthew Abraham program which is called "Whiplash" the Opposition Whip made accusations about the conduct of question time, drawing a number of conclusions which he said arose out of that. Madam Speaker, it is interesting to note - - -

Mr Humphries: I raise a point of order. I think Mr Lamont took the same point of order last week. You said that it had to be related to a personal matter that affected the member of the Assembly. I am not sure that I made any accusation about Mr Lamont.


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