Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McKenzie for her interest in this area, noting the professional experience she brings to her role as a senator. What this government understands is that improving student outcomes is not just about funding; it is also about quality teaching, a robust curriculum, principal autonomy and parental engagement. We think that quality teaching is critical to the future prosperity of young Australians and to their productivity, and we are committed to building an absolutely world-class education system. We intend to lift the quality and status of the teaching profession and believe that action needs to start when teachers are gaining their qualifications.

In February, the Minister for Education announced the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group, the TEMAG, which will advise how teacher education programs can be improved in their preparation of new teachers and in ensuring those teachers have the right mix of academic and practical skills for the classroom. The advisory group is going to undertake a consultation process. It will host up to four national meetings with key stakeholders across the country. It will also consult with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, Universities Australia, the Australian Council of Deans of Education, teacher employers, teacher regulatory bodies, key representative bodies of the education sector and relevant education experts.

This is all about a much broader, much more focused approach to what makes quality teachers. It is about giving participants in the sector an opportunity to have their input into the advisory group and making sure that their views on quality teaching, a robust curriculum, principal autonomy and parental engagement are heard loud and clear by the advisory group. Professor Greg Craven will chair the advisory group and there will be a number of other leading experts in the area on it. They will ensure that, as they undertake their public consultation process, all those voices are heard.