❓ Hon Barry House raises concerns about the impact of the Department of Education's public liability cover requirements on school excursions, including increased costs and venue withdrawals. The Minister acknowledges the concerns but defends the requirements as prudent and commercially reasonable.
AnsweredQoN 1182Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, PUBLIC LIABILITY COVER
(1) What conditions, such as public liability cover, are placed by the Department of Education on facilities visited by schoolchildren? (2) Is the minister aware or concerned that many of these tough, stringent requirements are resulting in - (a) increased costs to parents for their children involved in activities such as excursions, outdoor education etc; (b) increased insurance premium costs for many business operators providing educational opportunities; (c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover? (3) What does the minister intend to do to address this situation? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD
(1) What conditions, such as public liability cover, are placed by the Department of Education on facilities visited by schoolchildren? (2) Is the minister aware or concerned that many of these tough, stringent requirements are resulting in - (a) increased costs to parents for their children involved in activities such as excursions, outdoor education etc; (b) increased insurance premium costs for many business operators providing educational opportunities; (c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover? (3) What does the minister intend to do to address this situation? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(2) Is the minister aware or concerned that many of these tough, stringent requirements are resulting in - (a) increased costs to parents for their children involved in activities such as excursions, outdoor education etc; (b) increased insurance premium costs for many business operators providing educational opportunities; (c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover? (3) What does the minister intend to do to address this situation? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(b) increased insurance premium costs for many business operators providing educational opportunities; (c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover?
(c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover?
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department.
(c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department.
(2) Is the minister aware or concerned that many of these tough, stringent requirements are resulting in - (a) increased costs to parents for their children involved in activities such as excursions, outdoor education etc; (b) increased insurance premium costs for many business operators providing educational opportunities; (c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover? (3) What does the minister intend to do to address this situation? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(b) increased insurance premium costs for many business operators providing educational opportunities; (c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover?
(c) withdrawal of many small excursion venues willing to take students because they do not have public liability cover?
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(1) The Department of Education and schools request facility providers to meet the requirements of the excursion and water-based excursion policy and guidelines. Within the policy and guidelines, there is a requirement for providers of services and facilities to have public liability cover. (2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(2) In October 2001, the Department of Education reduced the public liability cover from $20 million to a maximum of $10 million for active activities and $5 million for passive activities. (a) These requirements have been put in place after significant consultation with providers and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. (b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department. (3) The current situation is a result of full and complete consultation with providers, schools and the insurance industry.
(b) Yes. However, the public liability requirements are neither tough nor stringent, but are within normal commercial requirements. (c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department.
(c) The Department of Education has a significant risk profile for the number of students who visit and participate in excursions, and these measures are prudent action to help protect the students and the department.
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