Page 3320 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


MS BURCH: Again, I do ask you to go back to this letter from a member of the school community that is saying that rather than focus on the past, and I will respond to Mrs Jones, our community is committed to supporting the teaching, learning and care of our children. The school community itself now is saying, “Can we move on?”

In regard to who put the information into the public domain, that was a decision of the director-general. The director-general is responsible for managing the staff within the Education and Training Directorate. The investigation was done under the provisions of an EBA, which is why the full report will not be released. But we recognised that, in the public interest, the key facts, the key findings, of the matter needed to be put into the public space. That is the key findings: the principal acted and has taken responsibility for this.

Mr Coe: Point of order.

MADAM SPEAKER: Point of order. Stop the clock, please.

Mr Coe: On relevance, Mrs Jones’s question was, “Who decided which parts of the report into the cage inquiry were made public?” She has not answered that yet.

MADAM SPEAKER: I think that I heard Minister Burch say that the director-general had made that decision. If I misheard, I am sure Minister Burch will set me right. She might wish to elaborate. Minister Burch.

MS BURCH: Just so that I do not get another heckle from across the chamber, let me say that I did answer the question. I did answer Mrs Jones’s question. But there are key findings in the public domain. That is the purpose, surely, that should be of interest to those opposite—that is, that a principal acted, by her own account—

Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, just on the point of order again—

MADAM SPEAKER: This is a separate point of order; I have already ruled.

Mr Hanson: This is the same one. Ms Burch said, “I answered Mrs Jones’s question.” But we are asking for a specific answer to who decided which parts of the report into the cage inquiry were made public.

Mr Corbell: On the point of order—

MADAM SPEAKER: I do not think I need assistance.

Mr Corbell: They have not listened.

MADAM SPEAKER: I really do not think I need assistance, Mr Corbell. I think that the minister has clearly answered the question. She said that the director-general made that decision. I think that that is quite clear. Have you got anything to add, minister?

MS BURCH: They are not listening, Madam Speaker.


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video