Page 1034 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
the context of the debate. Firstly, in relation to an allegation that has been made and repeated by the Leader of the Opposition in relation to an alleged lack of response to an approach from the visual arts teacher to me in December last year, I received an email from the visual arts teacher on 3 December. That teacher also contacted the Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Training, I believe, on 5 December.
Responses were provided to the teacher on 6 and 9 December from the chief executive and me, respectively. A meeting was convened between the teacher, a union representative and the director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Student Support on 9 December. So within six days of receiving the email and within four business days, such a meeting was convened, with a particular discussion on training in mandatory reporting and disclosure, amongst other issues.
The teacher also, in her email to me, expressed some concern about an op ed that was published in the Canberra Times on 30 November by Mr Jeremy Boland and I indicated in my response to the teacher that the views articulated by Mr Boland in his op ed to the Canberra Times were his opinion and were not my views and did not reflect the views of the Department of Education and Training. I indicated in that response to the teacher that a meeting would be arranged with Dr Collis. That occurred on 9 December, within, as I say, six days of receiving the email. Other correspondence between the teacher concerned and the chief executive also led to that meeting being convened.
Yesterday in question time, Mr Doszpot, I believe, asked a series of questions initially to Minister Burch that in fact reflected portfolio responsibilities of mine in relation to the woodwork teacher. I indicated yesterday—and I stand by that—that I note the goodwill and intent of the woodwork teacher. I also note, though, as many people have observed in this debate, that working in that educational environment is complex and challenging and that the best of intent and goodwill around education do not necessarily translate into a safe and secure environment for everyone within the context of that work environment.
While these matters are clearly regrettable—and I am concerned that the reputation and the good work of that particular woodwork instructor have been brought into this place—I recognise that that is beyond my control and I do not believe it appropriate to be discussing the circumstances surrounding that in this place. I think a sufficient level of detail has been provided and, as I indicated in my answer yesterday, I think what is most important is that the offer that has been made on a number of occasions by Mr Bromhead, the manager of student wellbeing and behaviour support in the department, to meet with the woodwork teacher to go through in some detail these issues is taken up. I said yesterday that offer is made in very good will and I hope it is taken up.
As Mrs Dunne has indicated, I correspond regularly with this trainer on a number of issues across a range of my portfolio responsibilities. So I know him reasonably well and I do not for a minute doubt his goodwill and his desire to assist. But unfortunately, in some contexts—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video