Page 3859 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 October 1991
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The decision also reflects the double standard - and somebody else referred to this - that last year it was improper for the Alliance Government to set aside an earlier Commonwealth decision that a school in Belconnen ought not be closed. That was a part of their dogma of the day, part of the basis of their argument that those schools should stay open. But it is all right this year to set aside the same kind of commitment from the same Government.
Mr Stevenson: Mr Wood is the Minister now.
MR KAINE: That seems to be the only difference, Mr Stevenson - that what was good last year is not good this year. I am not going to make a judgment about what their position should have been, but they must be consistent. If they hold that it was good last year, then it must, equally, be good this year. Had they agreed last year that a decision made by another government in another place under another set of circumstances some years ago can reasonably be set aside by a government today when the circumstances are different, they could equally argue that today. But they cannot have it both ways.
So, there is a double standard here, regrettably exercised by a Minister for whom, personally, I have a great deal of respect. I cannot understand how it is that he is going along with the Labor socialist radical left on an issue like this, which is of such importance to the community.
Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, this Government stands condemned for this decision. It has no answer to the condemnation. It has not even tried to answer. It has blustered. It has made accusations against everybody: What the Alliance Government would have done, hypothetically, had we still been in government; and we have had a strong attack against the Anglican bishop. But they have not answered the question as to why they have taken this position. All they have said is, "The decision has been made. We are not going to change it". That is not good enough. I think the reaction is clear and is sufficiently strong for any government to reconsider its position.
I make my position clear, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. The Liberal Government, after February, will restore this money, and it will then negotiate with these schools as to what changes can be made in the future in terms of equity and in terms of carrying the burden of financial cuts equally and fairly.
DR KINLOCH (4.35): I join with Mr Connolly in being a state school boy. I hope that does not make me biased towards one system or the other. The Rally supports and battles for excellent government and non-government schools and school systems. I would hope that none of us here engaged in this debate would be playing off one system against the other. I am delighted that Cook and Lyons
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