Page 2999 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 15 September 2015
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Schools—autism
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, in the official communique circulated last week outlining the results of the 5½-month inquiry, it was acknowledged that an unknown number of unknown staff in the central office of the education directorate had known about the construction of the cage for nine school days. What evidence is there that those unnamed directorate staff did not know earlier about the structure?
MS BURCH: Mr Doszpot is referring, I am hoping, to the statement that is available publicly on the Education and Training Directorate’s website and also to the statements made by the director-general last week.
The independent investigation did find that there was some knowledge within different areas of the directorate before I became aware of it on Friday the 27th, and then the following week when I became very clear about what this structure was. The investigation was made. The director-general has responded to that and has taken appropriate action.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, did the review suggest any recourse for directorate staff?
MS BURCH: The independent investigation was on the activities around the decision-maker for that structure. It was very clear that there was one person who was responsible. That was the finding of the investigation. The finding has been accepted by the person that the complaint was about—it was the principal. The principal has accepted responsibility for her decision to put that structure into a school. The director-general will deal with other matters, as she ought.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, given it was an independent review, what made it independent?
MS BURCH: Because it was conducted by an independent investigator in Shared Services at arm’s length from my office and from the director-general.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, who was the independent reviewer?
MS BURCH: I do not think it is good policy to put out the name of the independent officer.
Energy—wind
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Minister for the Environment. Minister, can you please update the Assembly on the progress of the three successful wind farm projects that were announced as the winners of the first wind auction earlier this year?
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