Page 1283 - Week 05 - Thursday, 31 May 2007

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Canberra Institute of Technology Amendment Bill 2007

Mr Barr, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.

Title read by Clerk.

MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Minister for Industrial Relations) (12.08): I move:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

I am pleased to present the Canberra Institute of Technology Amendment Bill 2007, which introduces amendments to the Canberra Institute of Technology Act 1987 to strengthen industry representation on the Canberra Institute of Technology Advisory Council. With this bill, the government is seeking to ensure greater industry involvement in the planning, design and delivery of vocational education and training in the ACT.

These amendments will change the membership arrangements of the Canberra Institute of Technology Advisory Council, or CITAC. CITAC was established by the Canberra Institute of Technology Act in 1987. It is a ministerially appointment advisory council which advises me in relation to educational student welfare, partnership and financial matters relating to the CIT.

The bill does not propose to change the number of members on CITAC but to revise the representation. The act currently requires one member out of 12 to be a representative of industry and six others to be people possessing expertise relevant to the management and operation of the CIT. The bill proposes that there be seven members representing key industry sectors in the ACT and region. For this purpose, industry is broadly defined as those sectors of the ACT economy that are the key business and employment sectors. The bill proposes two other members to represent key non-industry CIT stakeholders. These positions will reflect some of the broader links the CIT has in the ACT community and will provide some flexibility in determining the composition of CITAC. The staff and student representation on the council is to remain unchanged.

CITAC is well placed to provide expert advice on the delivery of vocational education and training and to continue its work in enhancing student education and welfare. The proposed amendments will enhance these important undertakings. The ACT government recognises the benefits of providing high-quality education and training and I believe the amendments enhance vocational governance in the territory and will ensure a broad and expert involvement in the planning, design and delivery of vocational education and training in the ACT. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth) adjourned to the next sitting.


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