Page 2885 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 August 1991
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Mr Collaery: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Question time this week has been a disgrace. It is hard to stay awake during Mr Berry's answers. He has achieved that novel task of driving the media practically out of the chamber. This exchange between these two members, who are vitally interested in health, goes on day after day. It is detracting from the access to question time of the rest of the members. I think it should stop.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your observation, Mr Collaery.
Stromlo High School
MRS NOLAN: My question is to Mr Wood in his capacity as Minister for Education. Last night the involved school community, parents and citizens of the Weston Creek area, the Stromlo Parents and Citizens Association, again voted to amalgamate the campuses of Waramanga and Holder, this time with a vote of 48 to 29 for 1992, or by 1993 at the latest. When is the Government going to make the urgently needed decision, listen to the school community's wishes, announce when the total amalgamation will take place and make available the necessary funds to allow that decision to proceed? Bear in mind that already a lot of work has been done towards that amalgamation.
Ms Follett: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: With all due respect to Mrs Nolan, I think she is debating the question.
MR SPEAKER: It was a long question. I think you have concluded the question, Mrs Nolan?
Mrs Nolan: I have indeed.
MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, I think some members opposite - and I say only some - are not only one-eyed; they are one-eared. They hear what they want to hear. I am surprised that Mrs Nolan used the figure of 48 to 29. I can tell you that I do not accept that figure as giving me a sufficiently clear indication of what the community want for their school to enable me to make any firm decision. It is part of the process, and last night I found it, as I am sure you did, an interesting and valuable part of the process; but I would never claim that it was a definitive part of that process. You know that I am engaged in further consultation with the community, during which I will listen with both ears to hear all sides of the argument.
You asked me when a decision would be announced. I recognise that all sides of the debate agree that the decision needs to be made sooner rather than later, and the sooner the better. I am aware that the Year 6 evenings, traditionally held for students and parents to be informed about their options for the next year, are due to be held next week. I do not know whether I can meet that
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