THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Education (School Closures Moratorium) Amendment Bill 2006 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Circulated by authority of Deb Foskey MLA

Education (School Closures Moratorium) Amendment Bill 2006

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Outline 

This Bill amends the Education Act to ensure that involuntary school closures planned to begin at the end of 2006 cannot proceed until the end of 2007, effectively instituting a one year moratorium.

It reflects the expressed desires of the ACT Parents And Citizens Council and the Canberra Preschool Society; has been supported by the ACT Branch of the Australian Education Union and the Save Our Schools Coalition; and is intended to provide an opportunity for a more collaborative school renewal  proposal to be developed.

Clause 1

The name of the Act

Clause 2

This is a technical clause, setting out the standard commencement provision.

Clause 3

This is a technical clause setting out the Act’s amendment. The principal Act amended is the Education Act 2004.  

Clause 4

Clause 4 inserts two new subsections into section 20. 

•	Part 4A rules out the closure or amalgamation of any government school until 1 Jan 2008
•	Part 4B ensures that any subsequent closure or amalgamation is preceded by a comprehensive analysis of its cost and impact on the community, in addition to satisfying other requirements of the Act.