Page 565 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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Mr Kaine: He is being very responsible.
MR WHALAN: I investigated the matter. But in response I would like to say that I believe that at least two-thirds of my answers yesterday were quite reasonable. I was asked to confirm that I had visited Campbell primary school with Minister Grassby. I said no, because I had not visited Campbell primary school. The second part was whether I recall seeing a poster on the wall, and I said no to that, which is fair enough because I had not seen a poster on the wall. Members know what my answer was to the next part. But I would like to say that we have investigated the situation and there, in fact, is some substance.
It so happens that at the time that I visited Campbell primary school students in the two year 5 and year 6 classes had just completed a social science unit on self-government, of all things. Two parents, including political analyst Dr Malcolm Mackerras, assisted the teachers and students with the unit. As part of the process of learning, the children undertook a simulated election campaign to elect their own Chief Minister. All students had to develop their own policies and platforms and present them in an appropriate way. Ten political parties, some fictitious, were represented.
The poster concerned was one of the many produced by the children in the unit and was displayed with the others at the culmination of the unit of work. I understand that the whole exercise was a very positive learning experience. I believe it would be quite inappropriate for me to take any action. The question asked yesterday was:
What steps will the Minister be taking to ensure such posters never appear again in any primary school in the Territory?
I think that in the circumstances it would be most inappropriate for us to interfere with learning units of that sort and a display of posters of that type, particularly ones that support the Labor Party.
Civic Pool
MRS GRASSBY: During question time on Tuesday, 27 June, Dr Kinloch asked me whether I could provide details on the budget allocation for the Civic pool in the next financial year. He asked me whether I was aware that the pool could be turned into a profit-making concern by erecting a dome to provide year-round swimming facilities, as has occurred at the North Sydney pool?
The answer to Dr Kinloch's question is as follows: The budget allocation for the pool next year has not been finalised. Recurrent expenditure in 1988-89 was approximately $388,500, including salaries. Revenue was
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