MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

Education, Community Services and Recreation - Standing Committee-Report No 7-1999-2000 Annual and Financial Reports of the Department of Education and Community Services and Related Agencies (presented 13 February 2001)-Government response.

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Mr Speaker, the Standing Committee on Education, Community Services and Recreation Report No 7 - 1999-2000 Annual and Financial Reports for the Department of Education and Community Services and Related Agencies was tabled on 13 February 2001.

While the Committee's Report includes items covering both the Education and Health, Housing and Community Services portfolios, I will be responding on behalf of the Government.

There were four recommendations. Three of the recommendations with which the Government agrees have been implemented or will be in the next Budget. A fourth recommendation is supported.

Recommendation 1 is agreed and in future years the annual report will be available through the internet as soon as the report is released.

Recommendation No 2, that the future annual reports of the Department of Education and Community Services include detailed notes on how the difference between GPO and total cost is funded within each output class, is agreed and will be implemented in future reports.

Recommendation No 3, that the Department of Education and Community Services include a quality/effectiveness measure relating to services provided to schools by CHADS in the 2000-01 purchase agreement, is agreed and an appropriate measure will be included in the 2001-2002 purchase agreement.

Recommendation 4 involves the Government collecting information on an annual basis on the avenues pursued by early school leavers. The Government agrees with this recommendation and is considering ways in which it might gather more comprehensive information on avenues pursued by early school leavers.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank members of the Standing Committee on Education, Community Services and Recreation for the work they have done on this matter.

I commend the Government Response to the Members of the Legislative Assembly.