Page 4149 - Week 11 - Thursday, 17 Sept 2009

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We would have continued to see a bleeding of enrolments to the private sector … We would have continued to have seen the inefficient allocation of resources.

Mr Hanson: How about his comments about Ms Gallagher not being able to get the job done?

MS BURCH: Some time earlier this year we saw the tabling of the ACT public education census—

Mr Hanson: How about those comments, Andrew?

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, please! I cannot hear Ms Burch.

MS BURCH: Stop the clock. Every time he interjects I want the clock stopped.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Ms Burch, please resume.

MS BURCH: Furthermore, how can one have a report asking for a range of reviews and assessments of school closures to take place and then pre-empt the outcome of any such investigation by arguing in the very same report that certain schools should be reopened without any social impact assessment—without any evidence, without any further consultation: just go in and reopen?

Mr Seselja: Without any evidence!

Mr Hanson: Just a little bit of evidence presented to the committee, Ms Burch.

MS BURCH: It contradicts their own report findings.

Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Madam Assistant Speaker: the opposition have continually interjected throughout Ms Burch’s speech.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Stop the clock, please.

Mr Corbell: There has not been a minute of her speech when there has not been an interjection from those opposite. Clearly they are trying to drown out Ms Burch. They are trying to intimidate her; they are trying to make it difficult for her to present.

Mr Hanson: We know you’re not answering Katy’s questions.

Mr Corbell: They persist even now, Madam Assistant Speaker. They are trying to intimidate Ms Burch; they are trying to prevent her from giving her speech on a contentious issue when she is entitled to express her view. I ask you to draw members’ attention to the standing orders; she is entitled to be heard in silence.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Members of the opposition, Mr Corbell is correct. Ms Burch is entitled to be heard in silence, as we all are. Please hear her out for the next nine minutes and 10 seconds.


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