Soaring suspension rates in our schools
Education Department figures obtained by the Tasmanian Liberals through an FOI reveal that suspensions in our schools have soared in recent years.
In 2008, 6667 suspensions were issued to a total of 3118 students. But in 2009, nearly 1000 more suspensions were issued to an extra 300 students. The shocking 2009 suspension figures obtained by the Liberals show 7630 suspensions were issued to 3425 students. That’s a 14 per cent increase in just one year. The figures are alarming especially given the absenteeism rate for school students also averaged 10 per cent in 2009.
read moreAdult Education & George Town “Hub”
Tonight I rise to bring to the attention of the House two items that are quite important in my electorate of Bass. First of all, the Labor-Green Government is shifting adult education in Launceston to the Launceston Library. It is a very sad fact of history now that the beautiful and elegant Mechanics Institute was demolished in favour of building the Launceston Library. I am no architect but I think it is a pretty ugly building. Nonetheless it is our library and it is already quite full and space-poor with many user groups, not least of which is of course the lending library. The community archives there are also under space constraints.
read moreRelationships Amendment (Recognition of Registered Relationships) Bill 2010
After speaking during the debate today, I voted against the proposed legislation but attempted to improve it with an amendment. The amendment was lost and I will certainly ask the Legislative Council members to consider it during their deliberations.
read moreFormer Rocherlea Primary School site disgrace
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) – I rise to bring to the attention of the House a matter of great concern to many people in my electorate of Bass. I have been approached by a number of residents in my electorate who are pretty angry and very concerned about what is happening in their community. It reflects very poorly on this Government and in particular the Minister for Education and her predecessor. I am talking about the former site of what was the Rocherlea Primary School.
Broadband debate
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) – I thank the member for Lyons, Ms White, for her address. I find it very hard to disagree with anything that she said. It was an excellent speech; the problem I now have is that she has given an excellent speech which unfortunately goes to an offensive motion. So naturally enough we are not supporting your motion or the motion that Mr Wightman wrote.
read moreTamar River Siltation – strangely it turned into a debate with the Greens!
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) – Prior to the March election the Labor Party promised to provide $6.5 million in funding to deal with what is now a massive silt build-up at Home Reach and in the yacht basin in the Tamar estuary. By June of this year this promise had entirely disappeared.
read moreCondolence motion – the late Hon Sue Napier
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) – I am also sad to rise to support this important motion in recognition of the late Honourable Sue Napier, a striking Tasmanian, former member of this House, a sister, a wife and mother. I too would like to thank you, Brian, and my other colleagues who have spoken so nicely, so gracefully and in such a special way about a former colleague. I think that there should be more of it. It is a shame that we tend to wait until people have passed on. Sue passed on from this life on 5 August and it was wonderful to see so many pay tribute to her at the State funeral in her honour just a couple of weeks ago.
read more
Recent comments