Page 4389 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 8 December 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MADAM SPEAKER: That is a fair point of order, Mr Wood.
MR WOOD: I note that, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: You have noted it. Would you withdraw the word "foolish"?
MR WOOD: Yes, I withdraw such a reflection. Let me tell the Assembly that I have been severely constrained on what I may do. The intention of the amendment was related to 80 teachers, but the interpretation of the amendment can be so wide as to make it difficult for me to come up with the savings that are necessary to find that $1.5m. It is the case that we have to look at the education budget, and the further decision making as a result of that is made very difficult by a certain form of reading. We are proceeding with that, and you would not be surprised to know that I will be discussing the matter with the Chief Minister and my colleagues before raising the matter in this Assembly.
Teachers - Separation Packages
MR CORNWELL: To some extent my question follows on from Mr Moore's. On 25 November, as you are aware, Minister, the Assembly amended the Appropriation Bill to protect 80 teacher positions due to be cut from the 1993-94 budget. I ask: Is your department continuing to target dozens of experienced teachers for redundancy packages? If so, will you give an unqualified guarantee that, despite these packages being offered, the existing number of teaching positions will be maintained, or is the Government once again attempting to defy the will of the Assembly, as it did over the kick boxing issue?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, Mr Cornwell used one word quite inaccurately, I think. He said "target" in relation to these positions. The fact is that there are a significant number of teachers who are very keen to get those packages. So there is no sense of targeting. The further piece of information I would have thought was understood was that all those teachers - such number as is yet to be determined - who may receive a package will be replaced. Formerly, packages would have been offered and there would have been 80 fewer teachers recruited than would have been generated by the staffing formula, but in this case every teacher will be replaced.
Perfumed Glue
MRS GRASSBY: My question is to the Minister responsible for consumer affairs. Has the Minister taken any action to prevent the sale of perfumed glues in the ACT?
MR CONNOLLY: Coming up to Christmas, the consumer affairs people have been out checking product safety. An item discovered in Canberra stores in the last few days is a stick of glue designed for children. It is quite colourfully packaged and is marketed as perfumed glue. The product in itself is non-toxic and quite safe; but obviously it is encouraging children to smell glue, and other forms of glue are extraordinarily dangerous. I have imposed a product safety ban on this product. We have been in touch with our colleagues in New South Wales, and a similar order has been made there. This product, I am pleased to say, has been withdrawn from sale in the ACT, but I would urge people to be careful of such an item.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .