Page 1975 - Week 05 - Thursday, 3 May 2012
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Of course, it would be impossible to speak about the future of education without discussing the availability of land—or unavailability, as the case may be—when it comes to new suburbs, especially those in Molonglo. We know the saga of the proposed Catholic high school in Gungahlin and how for months, if not years, the Catholic sector has been stuffed around by this government. Whether it has been stuffed around by them as part of an ideological objective or whether it is because of incompetence, we do not know. What we do know is that people in Gungahlin have not had the choice they deserve because of this government’s mismanagement of education.
I understand the proponents of independent schools for Molonglo have been very disappointed with the potential locations which have been identified. There are particular issues with these locations because little consideration has been given to the land requirements of schools.
When Mr Barr was the minister for education he told a meeting of the non-government schools council that there would not be any land available in stage 2 of Molonglo for an independent school. There is unsuitable land in stage 1 and no land available in stage 2. Whilst it might sound like a conspiracy theory, you have to ask how committed were the government to getting an independent school in Molonglo if the land offered was unsuitable. Was it deliberately unsuitable and, therefore, a way of ensuring that no independent school would be built in Molonglo for a considerable amount of time? As planning for the development of stage 3 is still a long way off, the area is effectively left without choice of education for the new families of Molonglo.
In summary, ACT Labor has let down our city when it comes to education. Our challenge for the future is to provide our children with high quality education that enables them to realise their full potential. This must be done in educational facilities of the highest quality by teachers of the highest calibre and with funding that is equitable. But, above all, it has to come from a government that is truly committed to equality and fairness in education for all families.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Corrections) (3.49): I thank Mr Coe for bringing on this matter of public importance. I note that the topic is the future of education in the ACT, but Mr Coe just talked about the past—and such a misleading past it was too. He attacked clubs, part of our vital community infrastructure. He attacked my colleague Ms Burch. He spent most of his time talking about non-government school funding and finally finished off running down public education, stating that schools had been left to rot.
Members interjecting—
Ms Hunter: Point of order, Madam Chair. I cannot actually hear what is being said because of the yelling across the chamber. Could you please call people to order?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne): Minister Burch and Mr Coe will refrain from—
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