Page 3415 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 13 October 1993
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We have the proof with the police. Mr Berry smiles. He thinks he has got me, and he is right. What about the kick boxing legislation? We know that he ignored that. What about the police rescue service? Mr Connolly ignored us on that. It just goes on and on. We need to take stronger action if we want to have some effect on behalf of Canberrans. One could debate whether or not the education system is effective, but that is another debate. People in Canberra do not want the working edge of education cut - certainly not the schools and certainly not the number of teachers.
Mr Wood says that he does not listen to the Grants Commission, but Keating and his Treasurer do. Whose money is it? I suggest that it is Canberrans' money. The Commonwealth takes it and gives it back, and we lose a lot in the exchange. But it is our money, and we should use it. It was also mentioned that the Federal Government is bringing us back to State level expenditure. What an absolute nonsense! The ACT was billed as the showpiece of the nation. No State-like expenditure can run it, and the sooner you acknowledge that and get stuck into the Federal Government and get them to accept the responsibility for this capital of Australia, the better. The best thing to do would be to take responsibility for health, education and law and order back from this bogus Assembly.
MR HUMPHRIES (12.26): I come to this debate able to hold my head up very high in terms of the educational outcomes which are now being delivered to the people of the ACT, because I - - -
Mr Berry: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order. I think there was a reflection on this Assembly by Mr Stevenson. He described this as a bogus Assembly. I think he ought to be ordered to withdraw that.
MADAM SPEAKER: I will consider that point of order, Mr Berry. Continue, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: When I became Minister for Education in 1989 I set out on the task of asking community groups - - -
Ms Follett: To close 25 schools. We know.
MR HUMPHRIES: No. That is a lie, and you know it, Chief Minister. During 1989 and the early part of 1990 - - -
Mr Berry: He has to withdraw that, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes. Withdraw that, please, Mr Humphries.
MR HUMPHRIES: I withdraw it. During the early part of 1990 and 1989 I took the trouble to talk to community groups, in particular education groups, about what was important about education. I said, "What is it that makes education in the ACT significant and important? How is it that we get the quality of education we have in Canberra at the present time?". Some of those groups were not particularly helpful in advising on that sort of question. Unfortunately, groups such as the parents and citizens association and the Teachers Federation were inclined to say, "Everything is important. Nothing can change. We do not want a penny less". That was a fairly consistent approach but unfortunately was not very helpful.
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