Senate debates

Thursday, 17 June 2010

Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2010

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 13 May, on motion by Senator Stephens:

That this bill be now read a second time.

1:15 pm

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I indicate that the coalition will support the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2010. The bill amends the funding tables in the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to include the additional $10.93 million allocated to the Sporting Chance program announced in the 2009-10 budget. There is no additional appropriation in this bill. It simply transfers $10.93 million from the Appropriations Act (No. 1) to the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act from 1 January 2010.

The Sporting Chance program is an initiative of the previous coalition government and was originally announced in the 2006-07 budget. This program is successfully achieving its desired outcomes in engaging Indigenous boys and girls in school through involvement with sport. We are certainly justifiably proud of introducing and implementing this program. I am pleased to note that, as a result of this program, more than half of the academy students were reported by the schools to be improving their academic performance and many were also reported to have made significant gains with respect to behaviour and self-esteem, which is incredibly important.

The government have made promises to Indigenous Australians through Closing the Gap yet have failed to deliver the new programs or deliver any improvements in Indigenous education outcomes. The reality is that if anything the gap is widening under Labor with the only good news coming from policies and programs implemented by us when in government. The Sporting Chance program is delivering positive results for Indigenous students, particularly from remote and rural areas of Australia. I commend the bill the Senate.

1:17 pm

Photo of Joe LudwigJoe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the opposition for their contribution to the debate. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.