Berry Moves On Indigenous Education

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Education

Media Statement - 24 May 2000

Labor Shadow Education Minister Wayne Berry introduced a motion into the ACT Legislative Assembly today calling on the Assembly to express concerns over indigenous education and calling on the ACT Government to issue quarterly progress reports addressing the issue.

Mr Berry's move follows media reports critical of the Government's performance and public evidence to an Assembly Committee. A report from the Commonwealth Government was also critical of the ACT Government's performance.

"All the evidence we have seen points to ACT Government inaction. There is a range of policies which have not been disseminated to schools. The Commonwealth Government report shows many targeted goals in indigenous education which have not been met. There are also significant areas where the ACT could not supply information required by the Commonwealth as part of its contractual agreement.

"It is critical that the Government is jolted into action on this matter as it is clear that there is a level of community concern which warrants an immediate response.

"My motion seeks to jolt the Education Minister into action and through, a system of quarterly reporting, force the ACT Government to demonstrate a continuing effort towards addressing indigenous education in the ACT." Mr Berry concluded.