Page 4526 - Week 15 - Thursday, 22 November 1990
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which are certainly going to be without consultation with those affected and going to make a great deal of difficulty for the school community, or we proceed with the original number of school closures - which I am sure those opposite would not wish us to do - or we take a stab in the dark about what the figure might be. That is also irresponsible.
Ms Follett: You know this one is wrong. That is not very responsible.
MR HUMPHRIES: What am I supposed to do about it, Ms Follett?
Ms Follett: Fix it.
MR HUMPHRIES: What do you suggest? How do you fix it? Do you spin a roulette wheel and throw the ball in and see what the number is? The stupidity of those opposite is really hard to comprehend on occasions.
Another totally unrealistic suggestion has come forward in respect of option E, the option put to me by the Parents and Citizens' council. Option E, as it has been described, was put before me on Saturday afternoon of last week. The people opposite expect the Government to have made a decision on all the ramifications of option E, which is a 10-point plan, in 48 hours; over a weekend. It is just utterly stupid and unrealistic. Of course, I accept the fact that the P and C are more than entitled to make such a submission, but I have to reject the assertion that they should be given time to develop such a submission when it is presented to government less than 48 hours before it has to make a decision on a crucial question of consolidation and savings in the school system. It is just not realistic.
Mr Wood also asked me whether the Hudson report would receive further consideration. I can indicate that, in fact, the Government, of course, will have to consider the implications of the Hudson report. I am happy to make a detailed exposition of the Government's position at this point in time. I should emphasise that I have made it pretty clear already what the thrust of that response is. The Government will proceed with option E, except that the extent of the achievability of the savings mentioned in option E depends on the outcome of a task force which, earlier this week, the Government announced would be set up.
Mr Wood: Option E or option C?
MR HUMPHRIES: No, option C.
Mr Connolly: You just said "option E".
MR HUMPHRIES: I am sorry. I beg your pardon. If I said "option E", I withdraw that and I substitute "option C". The Government has accepted the logic of option C but sees
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