❓ The Minister for Education reports positively on WA government school retention rates, highlighting improvements and contrasting them with the previous government's performance. The response also includes political jabs and a brief exchange regarding unparliamentary language.
AnsweredQoN 320Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the minister please report on recent WA government school retention rates to year 12? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Roleystone for his question and for his interest in education issues in this State. The news on school retention rates in government schools in Western Australia is very good. The number of young Western Australians in government schools who stayed to the end of year 12 in 2003 was the second highest of all time in Western Australia. The retention rate percentage was 62.9, which was an increase on the year before. The only year in which that figure has been bettered was 1993, when the figure was 65 per cent, after which it went into long-term decline under the coalition Government and the now Leader of the Opposition. Across the State the retention rate for government schools was 62.9 per cent, the second highest figure for all time. In addition, the number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships has grown considerably - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Roleystone for his question and for his interest in education issues in this State. The news on school retention rates in government schools in Western Australia is very good. The number of young Western Australians in government schools who stayed to the end of year 12 in 2003 was the second highest of all time in Western Australia. The retention rate percentage was 62.9, which was an increase on the year before. The only year in which that figure has been bettered was 1993, when the figure was 65 per cent, after which it went into long-term decline under the coalition Government and the now Leader of the Opposition. Across the State the retention rate for government schools was 62.9 per cent, the second highest figure for all time. In addition, the number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships has grown considerably - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
I thank the member for Roleystone for his question and for his interest in education issues in this State. The news on school retention rates in government schools in Western Australia is very good. The number of young Western Australians in government schools who stayed to the end of year 12 in 2003 was the second highest of all time in Western Australia. The retention rate percentage was 62.9, which was an increase on the year before. The only year in which that figure has been bettered was 1993, when the figure was 65 per cent, after which it went into long-term decline under the coalition Government and the now Leader of the Opposition. Across the State the retention rate for government schools was 62.9 per cent, the second highest figure for all time. In addition, the number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships has grown considerably - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Roleystone for his question and for his interest in education issues in this State. The news on school retention rates in government schools in Western Australia is very good. The number of young Western Australians in government schools who stayed to the end of year 12 in 2003 was the second highest of all time in Western Australia. The retention rate percentage was 62.9, which was an increase on the year before. The only year in which that figure has been bettered was 1993, when the figure was 65 per cent, after which it went into long-term decline under the coalition Government and the now Leader of the Opposition. Across the State the retention rate for government schools was 62.9 per cent, the second highest figure for all time. In addition, the number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships has grown considerably - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
I thank the member for Roleystone for his question and for his interest in education issues in this State. The news on school retention rates in government schools in Western Australia is very good. The number of young Western Australians in government schools who stayed to the end of year 12 in 2003 was the second highest of all time in Western Australia. The retention rate percentage was 62.9, which was an increase on the year before. The only year in which that figure has been bettered was 1993, when the figure was 65 per cent, after which it went into long-term decline under the coalition Government and the now Leader of the Opposition. Across the State the retention rate for government schools was 62.9 per cent, the second highest figure for all time. In addition, the number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships has grown considerably - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The Leader of the Opposition learns things very slowly. He is not up to it. He should remain quiet when I am on my feet. What really gets under his skin is that he knows it. That is why he hates me so much. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT: The Minister for Education and Training has accused me of hating him. I think that is an unparliamentary thing to accuse me of. It is certainly true that I have no respect for him, but I do not hate him. The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
The SPEAKER: If everyone has finished talking, I do not think that is unparliamentary. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Nevertheless, I withdraw it. The number of 15 to 17-year-olds involved in apprenticeships and traineeships in WA has grown by 47 per cent from 2002 to 2004 - an increase from 3 050 to 4 481. So, retention rates to year 12 in government schools are the second highest of all time, contrary to the assertion made by The West Australian in the face of the evidence I put before it that the retention rate had actually declined. It has gone up. Apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 47 per cent. The youth unemployment rate, which the $47 700 Deputy Leader of the Opposition so often asserts is disastrous in Western Australia, was 6 130 in the month of April 2004 compared with 12 020 when we came to office - half that figure and the lowest since 1998. This is what has happened in Western Australia: we have good financial and economic management, the economy is going well, the Government is being run well, the education system is producing more young people who are staying till year 12, more young people are getting involved in apprenticeships and traineeships, and there is lower youth unemployment. It is very good news, and that is why those opposite do not like to hear it.
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