Page 1208 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 24 March 2009
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of work and, importantly, the terms of reference of the review. I encourage parents, educators and carer groups to make a submission to the review so that it reflects the widest possible spectrum of views and experience. I look forward to the final report and examining how best to continue to meet the needs of students with special needs into the future.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, a supplementary question?
MS PORTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Would the minister advise the Assembly of any community reaction of which he is aware with regard to the government taking further steps to improve the provision of education for children with special needs in ACT public schools?
MR BARR: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am aware of a range of views in the community in relation to this review. I am pleased to say that my office has already been contacted by a number of members of the public and carers groups looking to make a submission to the review, and I thank them for their interest and look forward to receiving their submissions. I think that this indicates that members of the public see this review as a real and positive opportunity to look at what we currently do in special education, at what works and how we can aim to improve on that fine record.
I am aware that Elizabeth Singer from the P&C association has welcomed the review and has described the review panel as a great team. I am also aware, though, of a range of other views from groups that purport to represent the community, most notably those opposite. It is unfortunate that those opposite, even on this important issue, have adopted what is now their set policy response, which is simply opposition for opposition’s sake.
The shadow minister, as I have indicated earlier, was straight out of the blocks with criticism. He had nothing positive to say. It is opposition for opposition’s sake, purely and utterly. That is the default position now for the Liberal Party. They have settled in. They are pretty comfortable and wearing some pretty firm grooves in the chairs and in the carpet on that side of the chamber. It is no wonder. It has been eight years, with four more to come and probably four more after that, the way they are going. It is all about opposition for opposition’s sake.
We are very, very pleased to be able to continue to pursue the government’s reform agenda in education. This is another plank in what is a considerable piece of work across all areas of public education provision, and also moving into other important areas of reform. As I indicated in my response earlier to Mr Doszpot’s question, the focus of this review and why it has been so positively received by the community is its focus on curriculum and pedagogy. They are key and important areas in the delivery of special education—in a nutshell, what we are teaching and how we are teaching it. That is why it is so important that we are able to engage constructively with all stakeholders.
It is disappointing that the opposition have chosen the response they have. I think it does stand in marked contrast to the position put by the crossbench, who have indicated broad support for the review. I am concerned, though, that an opportunity
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