Ms LIVERMORE (9:52 AM) —A few weeks ago I spoke about the full service school program at Yeppoon, which is in my electorate. That program is facing closure at the end of June, due to DETYA abolishing the program nationwide. Over the last little while in parliament I have done my best to speak up in support of the program—and, of course, the students and staff that are making it such a success—but I think the best people to speak up for the school are the students themselves.

Last Thursday I sat in on a session at the full service school in Yeppoon, where the students sat down with a facilitator. They sat down as a group to talk about what the school has meant to them in terms of reaching their own personal goals and also what the closure of the school will mean to them and to the community of Yeppoon. There were nine students taking part in the exercise. Sitting in on the session where they discussed their personal experiences and what they had been able to achieve at the full service school was quite inspiring but also rather depressing, because these students have an enormous amount of insight into what they have been able to achieve through going to this alternative form of education. They very well realise what the closure of this school at the end of June is going to mean for them and their future.

I really wanted to share this with the parliament and, in particular, the minister for education, Dr Kemp, who has responsibility for this decision to close down the full service schools across Australia. I wanted to share some of the comments made during that discussion that took place last Thursday to demonstrate just what the students have been achieving and what they face in the future. The first question they were asked to discuss was: what is it about the full service school experience that makes you feel differently about yourself? One of the answers was, `It gives me more confidence in myself, and helps me to get through the bad times.' Another answer was, `Able to work at my own pace and still pass successfully.' Another replied, `I know that I am not discriminated against because I cannot fit into the school system.' They were then asked: what is it about the full service school experience that makes you feel differently about other people? One answered, `The people here are all wanting to learn.' Another answered, `There is less stress, which means I can respect other people and they respect me.' Another question was: what is it about the full service school experience that makes you feel more confident about continuing your learning? One answered, `The set-up of the program and that I am not pushed too much. I can work at my own pace.' Another answered, `Unlike school, they give you a fair go.' The next question was a very interesting one. `As a 15- to 18-year-old, what alternative is there for you other than the full service school?' One replied `Nothing. I would be on the streets with no education.' Another said, `Try to find a job with no education.' Another said, `Be dole bludgers.' Another replied, `Steal cars, rob banks and smoke drugs.' Finally, students were asked: what would you say to the Yeppoon community to convince them how great the full service school program is? One answered, `You gave us a chance to show how the school works—it does, so keep it open.' (Time expired)