Page 3888 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 23 October 1990
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I do not think I need to say much more about that, Mr Speaker. The Canberra Times article is patently wrong. To the extent that it used factual information at all, it misquoted it and drew incorrect conclusions from it. To ask the Government to take action on that kind of reporting, as though it is somehow reflective of the truth, is, I submit, totally absurd. Perhaps the Opposition would like to explain how its members would do so if they were in government.
School Crossings - Tuggeranong
MRS NOLAN: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Duby in his capacity as Minister for Urban Services. Why are school crossings not installed at Tuggeranong schools? The two schools I am concerned about in particular are Calwell and Isabella Plains, although I think there are about 15 schools in the Tuggeranong Valley that do not have school crossings.
MR DUBY: I thank Mrs Nolan for the question. I think it should be pointed out that a school crossing is one of a number of devices used to improve safety around schools, and it is important that the most appropriate device be chosen to maximise safety for the children. School zones, refuge islands, underpasses and warning signs are installed as a safer form of protection than school crossings, especially for young children. These facilities have been provided at Tuggeranong schools.
Engineering staff of my department have met with representatives of Calwell and Isabella Plains primary schools on several occasions to ensure that child safety has been achieved. The Australian Federal Police is addressing the problems of speeding and poor driver behaviour in the vicinity of schools. It should be pointed out that other States - Victoria and Queensland in particular - are proposing to trial the ACT school zone system, which has proved so successful here in Canberra and has been such a boon for the safety of our young children.
School Closures
MR BERRY: My question is directed to the Minister for Education, in our quest to scuttle the school closures program. Will the Minister assure parents at those schools he proposes to close that, in the event that receiving schools will not be ready for occupancy, their children will not be temporarily relocated to any other school?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, the members of the Opposition are very quick to fly to their standing orders to prevent Ministers offering answers to questions that they do not
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