Page 2984 - Week 10 - Thursday, 16 August 1990

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supposedly the closing of schools. I have an answer to that question, and I would like to read that answer now.

The video referred to by Ms Follett is one element of a series of professional development materials produced by the education departments of New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT and called "Educative Leadership". They were being directed by two senior academics from the University of New England, Dr MacPherson and Dr Duignan.

There are 10 elements in the series, each of which contains a video, a monograph, lecture notes, overhead transparency masters, summaries and other learning materials. The ACT department of education has been responsible for two of the elements - educative leadership in curriculum development and educative leadership in the rationalisation of services. They are two areas in which we are certainly leading the field at the moment.

Ms Follett: How much?

MR HUMPHRIES: I will come to that, Ms Follett. This project was begun under the administration of the Federal Labor Government and continued under the Follett Government. The written materials and film treatment were completed in 1988 and further refined last year. Shooting of the video was completed in March this year, well before the Government announced any intention to close schools. The video does refer directly to the closure of schools in 1988 and shows that a positive approach by those involved can result in a happy transition for staff and students.

Mr Moore: It is called propaganda.

MR HUMPHRIES: It was her propaganda, Mr Moore. I should also point out that the video did not involve a financial outlay by the department. My department has a video studio at the O'Connell Education Centre at Griffith. Because of staffing restrictions, the department is unable to operate the studio, and it allows Film Australia to use it as its Canberra production facility. In return, Film Australia produces six or more videos each year free of charge in lieu of rent. The amount of $20,000 referred to by Ms Follett as the production cost may well be correct, but it was paid in kind, not in cash.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, pursuant to standing order 46, I would like to make a personal explanation.

MR SPEAKER: Do you claim to have been misrepresented?

MR BERRY: I do.

MR SPEAKER: Please proceed.


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