❓ Question asks if the Department of Education has investigated why parents choose non-government schools and if they'll survey parents on the issue. The Minister's answer deflects, blaming federal policy and deregulation.
AnsweredQoN 127Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
I refer to the ever-increasing number of students preferring to attend non-government schools, especially during their high school years. (1) Has the Department of Education and Training attempted to find out the reasons behind parents preferring non-government schools and seriously addressing those reasons? (2) Is the education department prepared to survey a sufficient number of parents and to assist in addressing these issues raised in or from such a survey? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
I refer to the ever-increasing number of students preferring to attend non-government schools, especially during their high school years. (1) Has the Department of Education and Training attempted to find out the reasons behind parents preferring non-government schools and seriously addressing those reasons? (2) Is the education department prepared to survey a sufficient number of parents and to assist in addressing these issues raised in or from such a survey? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(1) Has the Department of Education and Training attempted to find out the reasons behind parents preferring non-government schools and seriously addressing those reasons? (2) Is the education department prepared to survey a sufficient number of parents and to assist in addressing these issues raised in or from such a survey? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(2) Is the education department prepared to survey a sufficient number of parents and to assist in addressing these issues raised in or from such a survey? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(1) Has the Department of Education and Training attempted to find out the reasons behind parents preferring non-government schools and seriously addressing those reasons? (2) Is the education department prepared to survey a sufficient number of parents and to assist in addressing these issues raised in or from such a survey? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(2) Is the education department prepared to survey a sufficient number of parents and to assist in addressing these issues raised in or from such a survey? (3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(3) If not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
(1)-(3) My first point is that all schools in this state, whether they be public schools, independent, high-fee-paying schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, operate under the same education system; in other words, they all operate under the outcomes-based education system. Anyone out there who thinks that there is some sort of reason for the shift of student population due to that aspect would be very much mistaken. Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Norman Moore : Hon Bruce Donaldson did not ask that at all. That has nothing to do with the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : That is exactly right. I am just putting that on the record. Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Norman Moore : People know what you have just said. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Dry up! Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Norman Moore : Answer the question. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : In fact, the biggest factor in any shift from the public school system to the non-government sector is basically because of federal government policy. It is as simple as that. Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon Barbara Scott : So parents do not exercise a choice - get real! Parents are voting with their feet. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The simple fact is that we have a deregulated, competitive education market. That was not the case in this state some 20 or 30 years ago when it was very restricted and limited. If the honourable member, who has been here for umpteen years, would ever care to research and understand things, she might come to this place with some level of information to contribute to a debate. I, as minister responsible for education, have applications coming to me from people in the Catholic and independent sector who want to establish independent schools. Those schools quite clearly at some level are in competition with the public school system. As the minister responsible, however, I act on the recommendation of a committee that is charged with looking at a whole range of factors to be taken into consideration when recommending whether I should support the establishment of a new non-government school. The committee looks at a whole range of factors and provides a recommendation to me. I try to act very fairly and in accordance with the recommendation of the committee. The simple fact is that the state is now in a deregulated education market, which is a competitive market because there are only so many students and other options and choices are available for parents. That is a direct result of the funding policies of the federal government and the deregulation of the education market in this state. Quite frankly, my view is that there is room for all. The public school system works very collaboratively with the independent and Catholic schools to make sure that we have an excellent comprehensive education system in Western Australia, and one that suits the needs of all students and gives choice and flexibility to parents. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Ray Halligan is about to ask a question.
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