❓ Question addresses the Prime Minister's criticisms of WA's education system and remarks on bullying. The Minister defends the state's initiatives and accuses the PM of being ill-informed and threatening funding.
AnsweredQoN 221Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE EDUCATION SYSTEM - BULLYING
I refer to the Prime Minister’s “Australia Rising” speech last night. What is the minister’s response to the Prime Minister’s criticisms of our state’s education system and his remarks about bullying? Mr M. McGOWAN
I refer to the Prime Minister’s “Australia Rising” speech last night. What is the minister’s response to the Prime Minister’s criticisms of our state’s education system and his remarks about bullying? Mr M. McGOWAN
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker, can I thank - Mr T. Buswell : How was Gallipoli? Did they let you into the country? The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: Mr Speaker, can I thank - Mr T. Buswell : How was Gallipoli? Did they let you into the country? The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr Speaker, can I thank - Mr T. Buswell : How was Gallipoli? Did they let you into the country? The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr T. Buswell : How was Gallipoli? Did they let you into the country? The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: Mr Speaker, can I thank - Mr T. Buswell : How was Gallipoli? Did they let you into the country? The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr Speaker, can I thank - Mr T. Buswell : How was Gallipoli? Did they let you into the country? The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr T. Buswell : How was Gallipoli? Did they let you into the country? The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, here we go; the fellow who is known for his treachery and duplicity is once again unnecessarily opening his mouth in Parliament. However, I have something to add: the member for Vasse is also a master of tergiversation. He tergiversates regularly. He tergiversated in relation to the member for Kalgoorlie. If anyone looks the word up in a dictionary, they will see exactly what I mean. I think that from this time forward, we will refer to the member as the tergiversator of Parliament. Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr T. Buswell : Did they turn you back at the border on your officially sponsored trip? The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, the member for Vasse now seems to be attacking the Anzacs. The closest he ever came to serving - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
The SPEAKER : Members! I do not know how many times the member for Vasse has been called to order, but if he continues to continually interrupt, I will name him. Does he understand that? I ask the minister to be brief, please. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I am aware of the Prime Minister’s remarks last night. He has a habit of running down the state’s education system. He recently described what is taught in primary schools, public schools and, in fact, all schools around the country as “sludge”. Last night he said that he was an avowed education traditionalist. He believes in high academic standards, competitive examinations, lessons based around traditional disciplines and a range of other things. He is a little behind the times. The state government has introduced a range of initiatives that address the very matters he has raised, including the fact that the majority of year 12 students will soon sit for exams at the conclusion of their schooling. There will be a return to traditional marking. The government will reinstate the syllabus for years K-10, which was abolished during the 1990s by the Liberal government. A list of set English texts will be required study for years 11 and 12 and will be introduced later this year. The government will make the study of Australian history compulsory for all students studying modern history. We are returning to traditional reports that will not include levels and bands. We will make sure that in primary school, 50 per cent of time is spent on literacy and numeracy, and next year all students will be required to stay at school until age 17. When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
When the Prime Minister runs down the states’ education systems and says the ill-informed things he does about education in Western Australia, he shows just how far behind the times he is. However, he also said a few words last night about bullying. It was not actually a call to action, but he said that he was concerned about bullying, and if we did not do something about it, which he did not quite define, he would take our funding away. Therefore, he threatened us about our funding, and said that he would take our funding away; that is, the seven per cent of funding that the commonwealth gives us for our public school system in this state. I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
I have also been concerned about bullying. When the Premier was Minister for Education and Training, he brought in the behaviour management discipline program. That was a $70 million program involving about 250 teachers dedicated to these issues. It was rolled out throughout the state. It was to assist students in the classroom with these issues. It was reported on by the teaching profession as an amazing success and something to be copied by other states. We have a range of other initiatives in schools. We actually do something about these issues. We do something about bullying. We do not just go out and make glib statements in those perversely named “Australia Rising” addresses in which we run down the system, say everything is wrong, do not propose any solutions and do not provide any resources to assist the states with these issues.
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