The ACT Government will conduct an independent inquiry into literacy performance in the ACT, as Canberra Liberals MLA Jeremy Hanson, Shadow Minister for Education, had called for.

Mr Hanson was concerned that literacy levels in the ACT had fallen over the last 20 years, pointing to reports from research institutions. He believed that the ACT education system was letting down teachers, due to inequity, inadequate school resources, inadequate monitoring and interventions, teacher shortages, teaching methodology, inadequate phonics instruction, staff and principal workload, overcrowded schools, student behaviour and violence, run-down school facilities, curriculum, and initial teacher training.

Education minister Yvette Berry defended the ACT’s record. She noted that the ACT was the highest performing Australian jurisdiction in reading literacy, as measured through international assessments PISA and PIRLS. However, the equity gap in reading (which had narrowed between 2018 and 2021) had widened according to 2022 data. Ms Berry attributed this to the sustained duration of the pandemic.

Mr Hanson was pleased his motion had passed.

“This is a win for the community, a win for schools and most of all, a win for all children and students in the ACT,” Mr Hanson said.

“We have been working for months with parents, educators, the unions, and experts to shine a light on this issue, culminating in our call for a full review into literacy achievement in the ACT.

“That call has now been agreed to in the Legislative Assembly today.

“We know there is no single or simple answer, but I am very pleased the government has now accepted the need to address this issue, and I look forward to continuing to work with all groups to stand up for education standards in the ACT.”

Australian Institute of Sport – support to remain in the ACT

Concerned about a Federal Government proposal to move the Australian Institute of Sport from Canberra to Queensland, the ACT Government will ensure the Federal Government understands the advantages that the AIS staying in the ACT brings to both Australian sports and the local ACT community.

“The AIS is an essential element of Canberra’s sporting landscape,” the motion’s proponent, Labor MLA Michael Pettersson, said. “It’s a place where elite athletes can achieve their dreams, and where Canberrans work, train, and coach. We can’t afford to let the AIS be relocated. I’m pleased that today my colleagues in the ACT Legislative Assembly supported my motion to keep it right here in Canberra.”

At opposition leader Elizabeth Lee’s suggestion, the ACT Government will urge the Commonwealth to commit at least $200 million to refurbish the AIS Bruce campus.

However, Ms Lee’s earlier motion on the same issue, which condemned the Albanese Government for creating uncertainty for Canberrans and athletes by moving the AIS out of Canberra, did not pass.

“The rightful home of the Australian Institute of Sport is Canberra,” Ms Lee said. “The Albanese Labor Government’s move to look at relocating the AIS to QLD demonstrates their lack of respect for Canberra and its significance as the nation’s capital. If the AIS is on the table for relocation, what’s next?”

Casey retail precinct – traffic and transport issues

Labor MLA Suzanne Orr highlighted the concerns of Casey residents about transport infrastructure and traffic management around the Casey Group Centre. The ACT Government will conduct a study on traffic and transport improvements in the Casey commercial and retail precinct, in collaboration with the community; and update the community about the intended use of Casey community land, specifically Blocks 12 and 13 in Section 132 (proposed apartment blocks with limited parking spaces).

Urban agriculture activities – promotion

The ACT Government will consider setting up farming education programs at heritage agricultural homesteads in the ACT.

This would, Greens MLA Andrew Braddock argued, offer vocational training for students or poor people, reduce recidivism for criminals, and promote agriculture on underutilized public lands in urban areas.

“We’re one step closer to a new chapter in urban agriculture here in the ACT!” Mr Braddock said.

“This new program will empower everyone in our community, but particularly those facing difficult times, to grow local food while making a connection to land, and a connection to community.

“We know that Canberrans who grow their own food are happier, healthier, and more knowledgeable about the impact of food production on climate change.

“That’s why this motion is so important in the context of dual inequality and climate crises facing Australia.”

Mr Braddock’s motion builds on the Food Strategy that environment minister Rebecca Vassarotti introduced earlier this year.

“The strategy showed that heritage homesteads have massive potential as training grounds to build urban agriculture here in the ACT,” Mr Braddock said. “I’m excited to work with her to make this vision for urban farming a reality – for people and planet.”

Frontline health workers – Retention strategy

Canberra Liberals MLA Leanne Castley, Shadow Minister for Health, moved a motion calling on the ACT Government to develop a retention strategy for frontline health workers and to provide retention bonuses or other incentives to retain and value these workers.

Several Canberra Hospital units had unsafe staffing levels, Ms Castley noted. Radiation therapists had walked off the job last month, after a third of their team left over the last three years. Radiographers had taken industrial action against Canberra Health Services because their pay and conditions were “significantly behind that in other jurisdictions”. Two “code yellow” incidents had been called in the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children due to staffing pressures. The ACT Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation had said the government must provide recognition and retention payments for staff. 1,337 staff had left ACT-funded hospitals and mental health and community services over the last two years.

Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith negated Ms Castley’s motion in full. The international health workforce crisis was affecting all Australian States and Territories, she said, prompting the need to recruit and retain experienced health professionals. The ACT Health Workforce Strategy 2023-2032 was introduced in May to address this issue. The Standing Committee on Health and Wellbeing is developing a recovery plan for nursing and midwifery workers.

The Canberra Health Services (CHS) has maintained an average staff tenure of 7.3 to 7.6 years since 2019-20, and some staff have worked at Canberra Hospital for more than 40 years, Ms Stephen-Smith noted. The recruitment rate for staff is 16.8 per cent, higher than the separation rate of 11 per cent. The ACT Government is recruiting 400 more health professionals. The ACT has the third highest average salaries in public hospital services in Australia, and diagnostic and allied health professionals have the highest average salary in the country.

The government is negotiating ACT Public Service Enterprise Agreements, offering salary increases for lower-paid workers and improved entitlements.

The government will continue these negotiations; implement actions in the ACT Health Workforce Strategy; and finalise the ACT Health Workforce Strategy First Action Plan.