Mr STIRLING - 2000-08-17
Both sides of this House support police checks of adults whose employment will bring them into regular contact with children. However, in yet another dash for cash, the introduction of a minimum $30 fee for police checks has turned a sensible initiative into an administrative nightmare for schools. Can the minister tell us how up-front costs for job applicants, long delays in the approval process and a mountain of paperwork for schools improve the recruitment process for these positions?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the department undertakes regular police checks of applicants who want a job standing in front of our kids. We make no apologies for that and we do not do it lightly.
Mr Toyne: That’s not the point. It’s who is paying for it.
Mr LUGG: The member for Stuart interjects. He gave a reference some time back for someone who was later found to be unsuitable in a teaching position.
No matter how short we are of teachers, we will not just pluck anyone off the streets and stand them in front of our kids. They have to be suitable, of sound character and sound ways. We will not have as role model for our kids just anyone ...
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order, member for Arnhem and member for Stuart!
Mr LUGG: They are cackling again, Mr Speaker. It becomes tiresome after a while.
Whether the applicants pay for it, and that is common practice in a lot of recruiting areas, it is not the nightmare the member claims. We will continue to do that when we recruit. It is difficult recruiting teachers at the moment - there is a national shortage, I have said this already - but we will not short-circuit reasonable checks for people in such sensitive positions, in front of your kids and in front of my kids.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the department undertakes regular police checks of applicants who want a job standing in front of our kids. We make no apologies for that and we do not do it lightly.
Mr Toyne: That’s not the point. It’s who is paying for it.
Mr LUGG: The member for Stuart interjects. He gave a reference some time back for someone who was later found to be unsuitable in a teaching position.
No matter how short we are of teachers, we will not just pluck anyone off the streets and stand them in front of our kids. They have to be suitable, of sound character and sound ways. We will not have as role model for our kids just anyone ...
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order, member for Arnhem and member for Stuart!
Mr LUGG: They are cackling again, Mr Speaker. It becomes tiresome after a while.
Whether the applicants pay for it, and that is common practice in a lot of recruiting areas, it is not the nightmare the member claims. We will continue to do that when we recruit. It is difficult recruiting teachers at the moment - there is a national shortage, I have said this already - but we will not short-circuit reasonable checks for people in such sensitive positions, in front of your kids and in front of my kids.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016