Minister Nelson's hypocritical oath

19/11/05
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich has branded her Federal counterpart a hypocrite after he suggested an outcomes focus as the way to improve universities across Australia.
"I almost fell off my chair when Brendan Nelson said the key to success for our universities was a 'need to measure outcomes not inputs'," Ms Ravlich said.
"This is the entire basis of an outcomes approach in education, to measure the outcome of what students know and not the input of what teachers teach.
"In recent months, Dr Nelson has labelled outcomes in education a cancer that is dumbing-down education across Australia. Now he is saying it is the key to success in our universities."
Dr Nelson made his comments at a meeting of State and Territory Ministers in Perth to discuss the future of universities across Australia.
"Brendan Nelson has made a media career out of bashing outcomes based education," Ms Ravlich said.
"The Federal Minister even pays his Liberal Party mates to write reports to bash Western Australia's education system.
"This is a case of Brendan Nelson saying one thing behind closed doors and another to the media. It is more proof that the Federal Minister is using education as a political football to further his Prime Ministerial ambitions.
"Dr Nelson took the Hippocratic Oath to become a doctor. I think Dr Nelson must have taken the hypocritical oath when he was sworn in as Minister for Education.
"With rumours of a Federal Cabinet reshuffle before Christmas, Dr Nelson could be the first Minister for Hypocrisy. Or he would make a good Sports Minister because he obviously likes having a bet both ways.
"I want Minister Nelson to lay his cards on the table. Either he understands and supports outcomes in education or he does not. He simply cannot have it all his own way to suit his political needs."
The Gallop Government is committed to delivering a world-class education to all Western Australians.
Minister's office: 9213 6800