❓ The Minister for Education responds to a question about retention rates in government schools, highlighting a recent increase and contrasting it with the previous government's performance. The response includes political attacks on the Leader of the Opposition.
AnsweredQoN 284Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I understand that earlier today the minister visited Perth Modern School, which is the school I had the pleasure of teaching in last century and to which a number of my constituents send their children. Will the minister inform the House of any news that he has on retention rates in government schools? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I also acknowledge the presence in the gallery of children from Hawker Park Primary School in Warwick. I welcome them to the Parliament. I congratulate the member for Perth for his great advocacy for education and the facilities associated with education in his own electorate. Members might recall that yesterday in this Chamber the Leader of the Opposition in his usual measured tones spent some time castigating this Government and me for our performance over the two years we have been in government. He also spent some considerable time praising his own record as Minister for Education in the previous five years. I do not hold that against him because, as we all know, somebody has got to do the job for him, as he does not have a lot of supporters on his own side. It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. I also acknowledge the presence in the gallery of children from Hawker Park Primary School in Warwick. I welcome them to the Parliament. I congratulate the member for Perth for his great advocacy for education and the facilities associated with education in his own electorate. Members might recall that yesterday in this Chamber the Leader of the Opposition in his usual measured tones spent some time castigating this Government and me for our performance over the two years we have been in government. He also spent some considerable time praising his own record as Minister for Education in the previous five years. I do not hold that against him because, as we all know, somebody has got to do the job for him, as he does not have a lot of supporters on his own side. It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
I thank the member for the question. I also acknowledge the presence in the gallery of children from Hawker Park Primary School in Warwick. I welcome them to the Parliament. I congratulate the member for Perth for his great advocacy for education and the facilities associated with education in his own electorate. Members might recall that yesterday in this Chamber the Leader of the Opposition in his usual measured tones spent some time castigating this Government and me for our performance over the two years we have been in government. He also spent some considerable time praising his own record as Minister for Education in the previous five years. I do not hold that against him because, as we all know, somebody has got to do the job for him, as he does not have a lot of supporters on his own side. It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Members might recall that yesterday in this Chamber the Leader of the Opposition in his usual measured tones spent some time castigating this Government and me for our performance over the two years we have been in government. He also spent some considerable time praising his own record as Minister for Education in the previous five years. I do not hold that against him because, as we all know, somebody has got to do the job for him, as he does not have a lot of supporters on his own side. It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. I also acknowledge the presence in the gallery of children from Hawker Park Primary School in Warwick. I welcome them to the Parliament. I congratulate the member for Perth for his great advocacy for education and the facilities associated with education in his own electorate. Members might recall that yesterday in this Chamber the Leader of the Opposition in his usual measured tones spent some time castigating this Government and me for our performance over the two years we have been in government. He also spent some considerable time praising his own record as Minister for Education in the previous five years. I do not hold that against him because, as we all know, somebody has got to do the job for him, as he does not have a lot of supporters on his own side. It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
I thank the member for the question. I also acknowledge the presence in the gallery of children from Hawker Park Primary School in Warwick. I welcome them to the Parliament. I congratulate the member for Perth for his great advocacy for education and the facilities associated with education in his own electorate. Members might recall that yesterday in this Chamber the Leader of the Opposition in his usual measured tones spent some time castigating this Government and me for our performance over the two years we have been in government. He also spent some considerable time praising his own record as Minister for Education in the previous five years. I do not hold that against him because, as we all know, somebody has got to do the job for him, as he does not have a lot of supporters on his own side. It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Members might recall that yesterday in this Chamber the Leader of the Opposition in his usual measured tones spent some time castigating this Government and me for our performance over the two years we have been in government. He also spent some considerable time praising his own record as Minister for Education in the previous five years. I do not hold that against him because, as we all know, somebody has got to do the job for him, as he does not have a lot of supporters on his own side. It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
It is fortuitous that I can announce that 2002 has seen the biggest increase in retention rates to year 12 level in government schools for a decade. Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Several government members: Hear, hear!. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I thank members. I look forward to all the young people in the gallery successfully completing their education to year 12 as well. It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
It is interesting to contrast this increase with the results of the former Minister for Education. One of the great weaknesses of the former minister’s performance in education was in outcomes. The outcomes from the Leader of the Opposition’s time as Minister for Education were declining retention rates, a minister who was unable to control his budget and a looming crisis in the provision of staff in our schools. In fact at the beginning of one school year - the member for Wagin will be interested in this - there was something like 100 unfilled positions in our schools. That is the record. When the conservative parties came to government in 1992, this State had had 10 years in which retention rates in our government schools had increased. Retention rates rose from approximately 30 per cent or thereabouts in 1982 to 65 per cent by 1993. Under the Leader of the Opposition, retention rates in government schools declined from 65 per cent to something like 58 per cent. That is his legacy. That was the outcome. It was not until members on this side of Parliament made an issue of the fact that so many of our young people were not being educated to the level required by a modern society and economy, at least to year 12 level, that any public debate took place on this issue. As minister, the Leader of the Opposition said that it did not matter because it could all be explained by employment trends. When I entered high school, a young person could leave school at the age of 14 and expect to get a job that might last a lifetime. That is the mentality that the Opposition is locked into. Those days are over. In a short time the Labor Party has introduced an education policy that brings Western Australia into the modern era. The legacy of the Leader of the Opposition was declining retention rates. In the space of two years this Government has achieved the greatest increase in retention rates to year 12 of the past decade. I am proud of that fact. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition does not like hearing this. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: If ever a man was driven by anger in public life and bitterness about what he has not been able to achieve, there he sits. The Labor Government has had some achievements. We are on the road to getting to where we want to go; that is, to the creation of an educational environment that will provide the best possible options for every student in this State. Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr C.J. Barnett: What have you done? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: This is what we have done. The Leader of the Opposition reminds me of a company director who, at the end of his term, says, “We blew the budget, we went broke and we lost all their clientele, but by Jesus I did a good job!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Education!
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