Page 2177 - Week 07 - Thursday, 6 June 1991
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schools might they be, Mr Speaker? Why, they are the two that screamed the loudest. There is no chance of rational argument getting in the way here; we are talking decibel democracy. We are talking a fistful of votes, and to hell with the rest of the community. It is a cruel and cynical hoax. You talk of shame, Ms Follett; you are enveloped in it and you are absolutely suffused with it.
And, Ms Follett, what about the other Rosemary? I refer to Rosemary Richards of the Teachers Federation, a person with a credibility and a stature that you will never achieve. Rosemary Richards well remembers your solution to education overfunding when you were in government. Your solution was to sack teachers. So, what has Rosemary Richards said to you about your latest plan, to reopen Lyons and Cook primary schools? We know what she has told you. She has told you that she will never allow you to use her members - the hardworking, dedicated teachers of the finest education system in Australia - as pawns in your pathetic little political game playing. And I agree with her.
The Leader of the Opposition claims also to be prepared to leave the matter of school reopenings up to the communities concerned. But, for Ms Follett, there are communities and there are communities. The community that gets her support is the community that suits her purposes. There are other communities, however, like the community at Macquarie Primary School, which a large number of former Cook Primary School children now attend. They are not in any way impressed by Ms Follett's political machinations. Macquarie's parent representative said on television news on Tuesday night:
We have a wonderful school here with 300 students who are able to access a very broad curriculum, with a number of specialist programs running. That can potentially be placed in jeopardy if this decision -
that is, Ms Follett's decision -
is carried through.
And, of course, the Hackett community, encouraged, is now saying, "What about us?". So, what is it to be, Ms Follett - decibel democracy, rule by the noisy minority; or measured, mature government decision making as a result of consulting all concerned sections of the community? You have declared where you are.
My Government's policy is clear: Responsible, stable administration to provide some certainty for the long-term future of all Canberrans. In an economic climate of continuing Commonwealth funding cuts to the ACT, my Government aims to bring in balanced budgets. We are causing, I know, some pain, but as little as is humanly possible - and we are not holding our children's future to ransom.
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