Page 406 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 10 February 2021
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community sector that have—you will know that it is not an easy process; it is a difficult process. It is time consuming. Many P&Cs do not have the ability to do that; they are volunteers.
Why are we going to make these P&Cs jump through unnecessary hoops? If we all agree in this place that we need to make sure that they are not massively out of pocket, let us implement that, rather than saying, “No, you’ve got to go and apply for a grant,” through some grants process. They would need to have it all stitched up in a matter of a few months.
The point is that we can all agree on these philosophical points that Mr Davis has raised. I agree with many of them, even if I do not agree with some of his language. When this hits the real world, it is going to hit parents, P&Cs and students. The amendment that I am moving will ease that and make the transition fairer for those involved in this program.
We will be supporting Mr Davis’s motion; but, in order to make it fair, and so that it has less of an impact in the real world, I move the following amendment that has been circulated in my name:
Delete everything after section (4) (a) and insert:
“(b) transition away from banks and financial institutions delivering school banking programs in ACT Government schools by the end of the 2022 school year; and
(c) provide financial or other in-kind support to Parents and Citizens Associations and schools for any external funding lost by a transition away from financial institutions providing school banking services.”
MR DAVIS (Brindabella) (3.32): The ACT Greens will not be supporting Mr Hanson’s amendment that was circulated earlier, for a few reasons. First of all, I would like to note a few items raised in Mr Hanson’s speech. With all due respect, Mr Hanson, I will not be tone policed. My youthful enthusiasm for this place, I think, is actually what is going to make me most effective. While you may seek to make me a little bit nicer to the big banks, and even insinuate that perhaps my work is motivated by attempting lock up a constituency, I will lock up a constituency of people who are cynical about the motivations of the Comm Bank, rather than think that I might upset some rich board members. So I am quite comfortable with my tone and with my language.
In terms of your comments around the time frame, I can understand some hesitation about the time frame.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Pettersson): Mr Davis, could you please direct your comments through the chair.
MR DAVIS: Yes, I can, Mr Assistant Speaker; I appreciate that. In terms of the time frame noted in Mr Hanson’s circulated amendment, I note that Mr Hanson and his colleagues do, and on occasion I respect them for it, make an active effort to come into this place and criticise this government—both the one that exists now and the one
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