Page 3715 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2013

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MR CORBELL: My understanding in relation to the ECG transmission capability is that the software problems resulted in the bluetooth transmission capability which is used to transmit the ECG reading being set to a default of off. As a result, officers were, at times, not aware that the bluetooth was off and therefore not transmitting. In relation to any further information around that matter, I will, again, seek the advice of the Chief Officer, ACT Ambulance Service.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Wall.

MR WALL: Minister, would you agree that the government’s purchase of these machines has added further stress and concern to some emergency service staff?

MR CORBELL: No, I would not agree that the government’s purchase of these machines has led to that distress. I would agree that the technical difficulties that have been experienced with these new machines have caused concern for paramedical staff. I am also aware, however, that those concerns have rapidly diminished as a result of the action taken by ACT ambulance with the supplier to rectify the software problems, and I am pleased to see that those issues are being comprehensively addressed.

Education—curriculum

MR GENTLEMAN: My question is to the minister for education. Minister, I understand that from this year ACT students from kindergarten to year 10 will begin to be marked according to nationally agreed achievement standards based on the Australian curriculum. Can you outline to the Assembly how this transition to a common reporting standard will help parents understand their child’s achievements?

MS BURCH: I thank Mr Gentleman for his interest. The ACT public school system has a tradition of excellence in education and is a national leader in the implementation of the Australian curriculum. We recognise the significance of the Australian curriculum and its capacity to deliver knowledge, understanding and skills that will support all our students.

With the transition to the Australian curriculum it means that, for the first time in the ACT, schools will have the capacity and confidence to ensure that an A or a B or a C or a D or an E in one school is the same as in another.

As I have said before, as minister for education I am absolutely committed to putting children and parents at the centre of our education system. We know parents want a clear picture of where their children are at and for this information to be reliable and simple to understand. That is what the Australian curriculum will deliver, and the new reporting framework will provide that.

The significance of this really cannot be underestimated. Before now the clarity and consistency have had their limitations. The capacity to provide this information is due to the critical role the Australian curriculum achievement standards play in


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