definatly outlawed in Tasmania. I grew up when it was allowed and got the occassional taste of the cane.

It was a good deterrent and i think that for exceptional cases it should be permitted under strict guidelines.

When I was Chairperson of the High School council, discipline policy was always under review. There was a very cpmprehensive policy that included exclusion from class (under supervision 1 - 1 with a teacher) internal detention and suspension. In rare cases expulsion.