Evidence On Indigenous Education Disturbing

Immediate Action Required

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Education

Media Statement - 4 May 2000

Evidence which confirms the failure of the Carnell Government to implement Indigenous education policies will cause concern in the community Labor Shadow Education Minister Wayne Berry said today.

"Evidence presented in public today confirmed that although there have been worthwhile policies in place for ten years, implementation of the policies has been unsatisfactory.

"It emerged that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education support paper which was published in 1997 has not been disseminated and is largely unknown in schools in the ACT.

"Following criticism of the ACT from the Commonwealth Government over Indigenous education issues and the hollow 1997 promise to improve performance on this issue, this latest evidence adds weight to signs that the Minister for Education Bill Stefaniak is not taking the matter seriously.

"In due course the Standing Committee on Education, Community Services and Recreation will report on its inquiry into 'adolescents and young adults at risk of not achieving satisfactory education and training outcomes' - but the ACT community must not be forced to wait for action from Minister Stefaniak on this issue," Mr Berry concluded.