Page 2203 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014
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Remediation of legacy sites, such as the Koppers site, is complex and can take time. However, these issues must be properly addressed by suitably qualified professionals through a national, recognised, robust regulatory and policy framework.
I look forward to advancing improvements to the act which are currently under the government’s consideration. I have every confidence that the EPA will continue to work to serve and protect the territory’s environment. I commend the paper to the Assembly.
Government and non-government schools education councils—advices
Papers and statement by minister
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Racing and Gaming, Minister for Women and Minister for the Arts): For the information of members, I present the following papers:
Education Act—
Pursuant to section 66A—Government Schools Education Council—Creation of an ACT School Education Advisory Council—Advice, dated August 2014.
Pursuant to section 118A—Non-Government Schools Education Council—Creation of an ACT School Education Advisory Council—Advice, dated August 2014.
I ask leave to make a statement in relation to the papers.
Leave granted.
MS BURCH: As I have said before, I see myself as minister for all ACT schools, while recognising the great benefit that public education gives to our community. I believe it is timely that we consider the current advisory council arrangements on education matters to ensure that as a government we continue to get the best high-level and strategic advice.
Accordingly, in May of this year I invited my two education advisory councils, GSEC and NGSEC, to consider a paper on the creation of an ACT school education advisory council. The paper provided information about changing the education landscape and proposals around membership, expertise and areas of focus related to school education.
Education policy and practice have changed significantly nationally and locally over the past decade. While the national policy approach to education is still uncertain, it is plain that here in the ACT we should seek to have alignment in our approach to education policy. It is recognised that we are doing well; we have some of the best schools in the country. But we want to do better. We are the knowledge capital and we want to build on this position, with even better schools for Canberra families, be they public or non-government schools.
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