Liberal hypocrisy on giving principals better suspension powers

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 9 February, 2010 - 14:10

The ACT Liberals have shown they’re not serious about ensuring ACT school principals should have the power to suspend disruptive students for longer by blocking an attempt by the Government to introduce a new law into the Legislative Assembly today.

The Education Amendment Bill 2010 would allow principals in ACT public and Catholic systemic schools to suspend unruly students for up to 10 days, an increase from the current limit of 5 days. The Government intends to evaluate the effectiveness of the legislation after 18 months and consider whether to leave the principals’ discretionary period at 10 days, increase it to 20 or decrease it to 5.

A new Suspension Support Pilot project already underway would support the new legislation. The pilot team is working with suspended students and their families in the Melba Copeland school cluster to help students return to school more successfully.

After community feedback, ACT Labor made an election commitment to provide better support to our teachers to help them get the best results for every student in our schools. My plan for 10 day suspensions and more student support is a balanced approach compared to other jurisdictions where principals can suspend for up to 20 days.

Last year the Liberals and Greens combined to stop the Government delivering on the community’s wishes. I had hoped this year the community’s views and the wellbeing of schools would have been considered by the Liberals.

While the Liberals may not think honouring election commitments is important I do, and so do

principals and parents. Instead of backing principals, the Liberals have stuck to opposition for opposition’s sake.

The Catholic Education Office (CEO) accepted an offer to be part of this legislation. It does not impact on independent schools.

The Government would be happy to share the findings of the evaluation with both the CEO and the Association of Independent schools.