Page 1827 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 7 June 2006
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benefiting the school communities, their effect would be to remove the government’s flexibility to make decisions to improve educational outcomes, to limit the government’s power to approach the community in future with well-developed proposals and to create further uncertainty for school communities.
In the consultation on the proposals announced in yesterday’s budget, the government will utilise a range of consultation tools and techniques. This is because each school community is different and might have a different preference. Meaningful consultation requires a broader approach than one-size-fits-all. On that basis, the consultation will involve a range of tools and techniques, including public submissions, public meetings, workshops and forums.
As we can all appreciate, school closures and amalgamations are not easy decisions. It is not a simple economic argument of listing costs and benefits. It involves many intangible issues that are hard to quantify. The bill I am proposing defines the consultation process more clearly for members of the Assembly and the community. The government will consult the community on the proposals announced in yesterday’s budget, the details of which are in the 2020 booklet. I hope that this bill will gain the support of both sides of politics so that we can move on to the bigger issue of consulting with the community about what sort of education system they want in their regions, both now and into the future.
MR SPEAKER: I should have reminded members at the outset of this debate that, in addressing order of the day No 1, private members’ business, they can also address their comments to order of the day No 11, executive business.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo) (12.15): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will be addressing both bills. I support Mrs Dunne’s proposed amendments to the Education Act that will hold this government accountable in the critical area of public consultation around school closures. Mrs Dunne’s amendments would simply require the government to consult with communities prior to making a decision to close a school, and I will go further into the amendments. This is something that the community would expect to occur prior to such decisions being made. Mrs Dunne’s bill has been prompted by the appalling process put in place by the former education minister in relation to the closure of the Ginninderra district high school.
In addition, Mrs Dunne has circulated amendments to this bill, including an amendment that would put in place a statutory obligation for the government to follow a clear and transparent process in making decisions about school closures. This amendment shadows similar approaches taken by governments around the country and around the world. In summary, it will adopt a measured and timely approach, include all stakeholders, analyse all alternatives and ideas, reach the best possible consensus, and activate the best possible options.
I believe that this amendment is a positive step. I know that the government will not be supporting it, but maybe there is more to be said on that. It is disappointing that we have had to bring it forward. As I said, the appalling process last year in relation to the Ginninderra district high school prompted the introduction of this bill. It is disappointing that the government made these amendments necessary by ignoring the spirit of the legislation last year. Government is not about circumventing or selectively interpreting
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