Page 1791 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 1 May 1991
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As the Chief Minister indicated when he spoke on the last occasion, it is not up to the planners to make up their minds as to what they will put in notices in the newspaper. The legislation requires a specific form of notice. The legislation makes quite clear what should occur. As far as I can tell, and nobody on the opposite side of this chamber has said otherwise, there has been no deviation from those requirements in the legislation. They have been fully complied with. It seems to me that I would need a stronger argument than that to change this policy midstream, in the middle of a sensitive matter. We need an argument stronger than that to justify some change of tactic in this particular instance.
I think, Mr Speaker, that we have to look, as I said, beyond what is happening here to the broad debate about school closures. As I said on a previous occasion, I do not treat the claims made by the Opposition very seriously. I would like to have them explain to the Assembly what mechanisms they propose to reopen these schools which they now claim to be the champions of. Mr Berry on the previous occasion nodded vigorously when I said that I hope that someone on that side of the chamber will explain what it is that they are actually going to do to reopen the schools. He promptly left the chamber and did not participate further in that particular debate. He has not spoken in this debate. I would be very interested to hear what he has to say on that subject in this debate - or Ms Follett, or anybody else on that side of the chamber. I do think it needs to be spelt out extremely clearly just how they intend to achieve - - -
Ms Follett: We all have the same policy. This will confuse you, I know.
MR HUMPHRIES: That may be. You may all have the same policy, but none of us know what it is. None of the electorate knows what it is. We would all like to know what it is because it all very much impinges on the way in which the schools debate will proceed. To give an example, take the case of the Lyons school which has closed most recently. If the Labor Party proposes to reopen that school it will have to spell out just how it will consult with the community about whether the school should be reopened.
Mr Wood: We already have.
MR HUMPHRIES: Does that mean that you have decided that the school will definitely reopen?
Mr Wood: Yes.
MR SPEAKER: Order, members! Please address your comments through the Chair.
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