Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I appreciate the opportunity to speak in relation to the Vet Student Loans Bill 2016. Before I commence I would like to acknowledge the young people in the gallery this morning and wish them well in their studies.

I would also like to recognise the students in Victoria who are approaching their Victorian VCE exams in the coming week—next Wednesday. I wish all the students well, and I am sure all members wish year 12 students around the nation well in this very challenging time in their lives. I offer a little reminder to students that a number, an ATAR score, on a piece of paper will never define them as a person. There are many, many ways of achieving success in their future careers. While the ATAR score is a measurement tool, it is important to remember that there are many pathways to future success. I know from personal experience as someone who never went to university, who went on to do a journalism cadetship, that it has not held me back in my aspirations for the future. I know you, Deputy Speaker, parted company with your high school under mutually agreeable terms—

See this speech in context