Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. Will the minister confirm that the national curriculum slated to begin in January 2011 will now not meet the deadline? Will the national curriculum be joining the Green Loans Program, the solar panel rebate and the home insulation scheme as the government’s next mess?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The last part of the question is out of order. I indicate now that, in future, because we have tightened up both ends—the question and the answer—that whole question would be ruled out of order if it were tried again. I think that it is just an attempt to get it on the record, and we have to be a little bit more careful about that.

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question and remind him that the recent ministerial meeting that I referred to in my earlier answer to the House in fact confirmed that the development of the national curriculum will be continuing as agreed by ministers both previously and at that meeting. I would add, though, that I do not anticipate that this is a process that should be rushed.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I make the point that those opposite had a tentative go at a national curriculum and then retreated instantly without any achievement whatsoever.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will ignore the interjections.

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It certainly is my intention to ensure that, working with state ministerial colleagues, we continue to work robustly on the development of the curriculum and make sure that all of those issues that need to be addressed are addressed in a timely fashion and that a national curriculum is delivered to Australian students, which is a commitment of this government.