Page 4879 - Week 16 - Thursday, 29 November 1990
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the political process in our party. No doubt they come from the background of your own machinations in the various groups that you move amongst, and you should not put your experiences into what happens on our side of the house.
I want to make a brief comment about Cook Primary School. The parents, of course, will continue to resist until they win their case, as they surely will. There is a problem at the end of this year, and the parents and the children should not be further penalised by facing three pupil-free days.
Mr Jensen: What about the teachers, Bill?
MR WOOD: There is a simple solution; you see, you just have to think about this a little. The ACT Government is spending hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of dollars relocating the various community groups who are having to shift from their present positions. The Government is refurbishing; it is doing all sorts of things. For the cost, at a quick estimate, of $3,000 - a pretty small cost in the overall scheme of things, would that not be the case, Mr Jensen? - the Government could provide relief staff for those three days. I think that is the way to proceed. That is, as many teachers as are needed walk into the school and take over for three days. It is not an uncommon practice in our schools. I have organised it myself in times past. For a very modest amount of money the problem is solved. I would suggest, members on the Alliance side of the house, that you take that up with Mr Humphries.
School Closures
DR KINLOCH (5.35): I am worried about the problem of equity in the school system at the moment. I believe that the basic principle should be this - and I comment at the moment on the issue that Mr Moore raised: all schools should continue full-time education until the very last day of term, and some schools should not be treated differently from other schools.
Prime Minister Thatcher
MR STEFANIAK (5.35): I think it is time we left the Territory for a little while in this adjournment debate. A significant event occurred last week. It had its culmination the night before last, our time, when the longest serving British Prime Minister in history and, indeed, Britain's first female Prime Minister, resigned and was replaced by one of her colleagues Mr Major. I think it is worthy at this time to note briefly what this remarkable woman did by way of contribution, not only to her country, but to the world.
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