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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 7 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1920 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

I was horrified to read that the Minister, Mr Stefaniak, had approached people in sporting organisations to do some of the work which was the subject of teachers' bans. Those good people who are interested in their sporting activities would be keen to ensure that their sports were promoted out there in the schools. I would urge them to resist the temptation, because it could lead to a festering sore which may be a blight on education if and when this dispute is ever resolved.

Mr Stefaniak does not seem to have an understanding of these issues, but very clearly part of the Australian ethos in relation to industrial relations is that strike-breaking activities are one of the most inflammatory actions that can be taken in the course of an industrial dispute. Mr Stefaniak, from his perspective in the Liberal Party, might think it is smart to do that sort of stuff; but the Labor Party, on the other hand, is most concerned because the conflict that it may well create between sporting organisations and teachers could have long-lasting effects on the education of our children.

I read one teacher's comments from a report in the Canberra Times:

... the Government's moves to encourage ban-breaking activities were "abusing the close working relationship that has existed between the various sports associations and teachers in the schools".

"As a teacher who has had a heavy involvement in the administration of ACT school sport, I would ask you to think very carefully before agreeing to assist the Minister and his staff in circumventing the bans imposed by teachers," he said. "I know of a number of teachers who are very upset that development officers or other coaches from several sports have already taken ACT Secondary School Sports Association teams away".

Individual sports could be affected for a long time into the future, and sports activities in the education system could be set back years and years if the Minister persists with this approach. I think it is to be regretted, and I ask that Assembly members support an expression of regret in relation to that move by Mr Stefaniak. I hope that he does not persist with it. The end result could be a motion of some stronger consequence if Mr Stefaniak were to create a long-lasting blight on our education system as a result of inappropriate management of this industrial dispute.

Mr Speaker, if members want to be reminded of how long the taste in the mouth lasts in relation to strike-breaking attempts in an industrial dispute, I suggest that they pop into the hotel across the road from the Barcaldine railway station. I was in there a few years ago and - - -

Mr Stefaniak: Where?

MR BERRY: Barcaldine.

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