Page 3171 - Week 10 - Thursday, 18 October 2007
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Mrs Dunne: And Mr Stanhope was AWOL.
MR SESELJA: Mr Stanhope abstained, so we do not actually know what Mr Stanhope’s true position is on non-government schooling and the funding by government of non-government schooling. We have seen Mr Latham’s hit list.
Mr Gentleman also failed to mention some of the important measures that the federal government has taken in recent times in the area of education. I understand that the federal Labor Party is now adopting some of these as policy. We have seen the numeracy and literacy testing in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It is standardised testing, a sensible forward-looking measure that allows us to objectively judge where our students are placed at various points during their education. It was a positive measure enforced by the federal coalition government, opposed by the AEU and—
Mr Barr: In spite of the commonwealth.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Mr Barr!
MR SESELJA: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr Gentleman simply fails to highlight some of these. We have heard a lot about history in recent times. It is quite legitimate for the Prime Minister to put this issue on the agenda, as he did.
Mr Barr: Should he be setting the curriculum?
MR SESELJA: He is not setting a curriculum.
Mr Barr: Yes, he is.
MR SESELJA: This is the rubbish that the Labor Party and the Greens go into.
Mrs Dunne: So you cannot tell the difference between a paper and a curriculum document?
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Dunne! Stop aggravating Mr Barr. Order, Mr Barr!
MR SESELJA: It is reasonable to say that history is not social engineering. We do not teach social engineering in history. It is reasonable to say that there are some basics in the teaching of history that should be across all curriculums. Key dates, key moments in history should be taught.
Mr Barr: Do you think Cyclone Tracy deserves mention, then, in Australian history?
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Barr, this is the last time I will call you to order.
MR SESELJA: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Do not thank me, Mr Seselja.
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