"Mr Premier

You have spoken about advances in education but I have grave concerns that an extra year at school will do nothing for the talented students in the Smart State. As a state school product from a working class background I have defended state education for decades as providers of reasonable schooling for Queensland’s children.

I recently quit my long-term employment in education to do research into giftedness and hopefully make a further contribution to this group of potentially disadvantaged children. It is not commonly appreciated that gifted children sit in every classroom in the state and are potentially at risk. My investigations to date have revealed some disturbing facts which you may not realise:

1. Review of state policy on the education of gifted students was completed last year. The report of that review would be interesting and informative but it has failed to see the light of day.
2. Examination of State Budget papers reveals no specific funding for gifted education. Has funding under this government gone from $M1 to $0?
3. The permanent position in Central Office (the only dedicated public service position supporting gifted education anywhere in the state system) has gone. A school administrator has been seconded to Central Office temporarily.

This gradual downgrading of gifted education maligns the concept of gifted children's special needs.

Mr Premier, can you do anything about this situation? There are about 40 000 gifted children in this state and the Queensland Association for Gifted and Talented Children wants to know when conditions will improve."