Page 284 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019

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ignores the fact that, whether she likes it or not, there are some concerns and some confusion about the existence of these protocols, whether they are widely publicly available, whether they are appropriate and whether they inadvertently may cause confusion, risking MLAs not being able to carry out their duties properly or, worse, to inadvertently breach the code of conduct.

Anyone would think that she is the first education minister to have ever had the portfolio. As I said in my earlier speech, I am aware of previous ministers who are far more gracious, far more considerate of the role of an MLA, and who value the role of local members and their need to accept community invitations at schools. The minister’s contribution does nothing more than demonstrate her ever-increasing level of incompetence in handling the education portfolio. It is clearly beyond her. She is out of her depth; so she resorts to personal innuendo and attack. Of course it is becoming a feature of some other MLAs on that side as well.

Clearly and as usual, the minister—

Members interjecting—

Mr Hanson: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order, I cannot hear Ms Lee’s speech because of the interjections from those opposite, and I would ask you to remind them of standing orders with regard to interjecting.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Hanson, but I will remind members—

Mr Hanson interjecting—

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, you just took a point of order about being unruly. I will remind members that constant interjection is unruly, and it is very difficult to hear Ms Lee. Not everybody’s voice travels as far as Mr Hanson’s or Mr Barr’s.

MS LEE: Clearly, and as usual, the minister did not read the motion and did not listen to what I said. She gets up with her prepared scripts, and sometimes I have to wonder whether she actually understands what she is reading.

Where I have put a genuine call for the Assembly’s tri-partisan committee to review the existing protocols, talked about how valuable visits to our schools are and thanked her for facilitating the visits that I have had the opportunity to have, she responds with made-up, hysterical diatribe, personal attacks and some ridiculous notion that allowing an MLA to visit a school will lead to a breakdown of the separation of powers.

In fact, it was in part a consequence of the appalling disrespect shown to the Speaker by the minister. It was also as a consequence of schools being left in the dark at a very busy time of the year, waiting to find out the minister’s decision on attending, not attending or sending somebody else. It is extremely rude and lacks common courtesy to not advise.


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