❓ Minister Barnett responds to allegations of copying Labor's education policy regarding a council of teaching, highlighting the contributions of the member for Churchlands and defending the government's education spending record against criticisms from the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 340Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I note that in today’s newspaper the Opposition education spokesman is reported as claiming the minister has copied Labor Party policy in announcing the development of a council of teaching to act as an independent representative body to promote the teaching profession. Would the minister care to comment on this allegation? Mr BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I will quote from an article in this morning’s The West Australian that refers to comments made by the opposition spokesman on education, the member for Willagee. The member’s comments say a great deal about his character and suitability to that role. The article reads - Opposition education spokesman Alan Carpenter said he was flattered that Mr Barnett had copied Labor's policy. “This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said. I am referring to that article because the issue of teacher registration is not new. In fact, legislation was passed by this Parliament in the late 1970s, but was not enacted. This round of debate about teacher registration arose when the School Education Bill was debated in this Chamber in June 1998. At that time, the member for Churchlands moved a series of amendments to create a teacher registration board in this State. If anyone can claim any degree of originality in this round, it is the member for Churchlands, as is recorded in Hansard . Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr BARNETT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I will quote from an article in this morning’s The West Australian that refers to comments made by the opposition spokesman on education, the member for Willagee. The member’s comments say a great deal about his character and suitability to that role. The article reads - Opposition education spokesman Alan Carpenter said he was flattered that Mr Barnett had copied Labor's policy. “This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said. I am referring to that article because the issue of teacher registration is not new. In fact, legislation was passed by this Parliament in the late 1970s, but was not enacted. This round of debate about teacher registration arose when the School Education Bill was debated in this Chamber in June 1998. At that time, the member for Churchlands moved a series of amendments to create a teacher registration board in this State. If anyone can claim any degree of originality in this round, it is the member for Churchlands, as is recorded in Hansard . Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I will quote from an article in this morning’s The West Australian that refers to comments made by the opposition spokesman on education, the member for Willagee. The member’s comments say a great deal about his character and suitability to that role. The article reads - Opposition education spokesman Alan Carpenter said he was flattered that Mr Barnett had copied Labor's policy. “This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said. I am referring to that article because the issue of teacher registration is not new. In fact, legislation was passed by this Parliament in the late 1970s, but was not enacted. This round of debate about teacher registration arose when the School Education Bill was debated in this Chamber in June 1998. At that time, the member for Churchlands moved a series of amendments to create a teacher registration board in this State. If anyone can claim any degree of originality in this round, it is the member for Churchlands, as is recorded in Hansard . Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
I will quote from an article in this morning’s The West Australian that refers to comments made by the opposition spokesman on education, the member for Willagee. The member’s comments say a great deal about his character and suitability to that role. The article reads - Opposition education spokesman Alan Carpenter said he was flattered that Mr Barnett had copied Labor's policy. “This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said. I am referring to that article because the issue of teacher registration is not new. In fact, legislation was passed by this Parliament in the late 1970s, but was not enacted. This round of debate about teacher registration arose when the School Education Bill was debated in this Chamber in June 1998. At that time, the member for Churchlands moved a series of amendments to create a teacher registration board in this State. If anyone can claim any degree of originality in this round, it is the member for Churchlands, as is recorded in Hansard . Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
“This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said.
Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools.
I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr BARNETT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I will quote from an article in this morning’s The West Australian that refers to comments made by the opposition spokesman on education, the member for Willagee. The member’s comments say a great deal about his character and suitability to that role. The article reads - Opposition education spokesman Alan Carpenter said he was flattered that Mr Barnett had copied Labor's policy. “This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said. I am referring to that article because the issue of teacher registration is not new. In fact, legislation was passed by this Parliament in the late 1970s, but was not enacted. This round of debate about teacher registration arose when the School Education Bill was debated in this Chamber in June 1998. At that time, the member for Churchlands moved a series of amendments to create a teacher registration board in this State. If anyone can claim any degree of originality in this round, it is the member for Churchlands, as is recorded in Hansard . Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I will quote from an article in this morning’s The West Australian that refers to comments made by the opposition spokesman on education, the member for Willagee. The member’s comments say a great deal about his character and suitability to that role. The article reads - Opposition education spokesman Alan Carpenter said he was flattered that Mr Barnett had copied Labor's policy. “This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said. I am referring to that article because the issue of teacher registration is not new. In fact, legislation was passed by this Parliament in the late 1970s, but was not enacted. This round of debate about teacher registration arose when the School Education Bill was debated in this Chamber in June 1998. At that time, the member for Churchlands moved a series of amendments to create a teacher registration board in this State. If anyone can claim any degree of originality in this round, it is the member for Churchlands, as is recorded in Hansard . Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
I will quote from an article in this morning’s The West Australian that refers to comments made by the opposition spokesman on education, the member for Willagee. The member’s comments say a great deal about his character and suitability to that role. The article reads - Opposition education spokesman Alan Carpenter said he was flattered that Mr Barnett had copied Labor's policy. “This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said. I am referring to that article because the issue of teacher registration is not new. In fact, legislation was passed by this Parliament in the late 1970s, but was not enacted. This round of debate about teacher registration arose when the School Education Bill was debated in this Chamber in June 1998. At that time, the member for Churchlands moved a series of amendments to create a teacher registration board in this State. If anyone can claim any degree of originality in this round, it is the member for Churchlands, as is recorded in Hansard . Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
“This is an example of them adopting a good Labor policy. He would never have thought of it,” Mr Carpenter said.
Following that, in line with my commitment at the time, the Government formed a committee to examine the issues of teacher registration. I draw the attention of members to a document dated June 1999, released by the Government a year after the debate, which canvasses all the issues and puts the case for teacher registration. In response to motions moved in this House and amendments moved by the member for Churchlands, the Government sought to establish teacher registration. The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
The comments in the newspaper say something about the character and integrity of the member for Willagee. He knows perfectly well that the member for Churchlands instigated the issue of teacher registration during debate in this Parliament. It was not me; I do not claim credit for it. However, the member for Willagee has no credit or originality on this issue. What he said to the media was blatantly dishonest. The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
The comments of the member for Willagee in that article continue - But there is a huge difference between us and the Government. They will continue to decimate public education in WA. Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools. An education minister has a couple of responsibilities beyond those of any other minister. The first is to strive for standards of honesty and integrity as a role model for young people in our schools. The second responsibility is to recognise that 70 per cent of the children in Western Australia go to government schools and that the State Government of the day funds those schools to the tune of 90 per cent. The government school system comprises 70 per cent of children, and it is state government funded. The Minister for Education also has a responsibility to promote and support the teachers, parents and children in our government school system. I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr Barnett has been Minister for five years and he has presided over the decline of Government schools.
I take a moment to show the member these graphs I have with me. The first graph shows an account of an important area of spending on maintenance and minor works. Do members know what the Labor Party spent on minor works in 1991? It spent $18.6m. Over the past five years this Government has spent $51.8m, $61.9m, $59.3m and $59.1m respectively. Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr Carpenter interjected. Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
Mr BARNETT: The member for Willagee should look at that graph; it shows the previous Labor Government’s disgraceful record. What did the Labor Government spend on capital works and on building new schools in the early 1990s? It spent $54m. In the past four years this Government has spent $103m, $127m, $170m and $131m. Members should compare the record of this Government with that of the Labor Government. I refer finally to total government spending. This Government increased spending in government schools by more than 60 per cent during the low inflation period during the 1990s. In 1991, the Labor Government spent $739m. This year the coalition Government will spend almost double that. It is an incredible record of support for government schools. The two points I make are that if the member for Willagee aspires to be the Minister for Education - God forbid he should achieve that - he should remember to be honest and set an example for children and he should not take credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His first responsibility is to support government schools rather than knock them or criticise them.
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