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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 7 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1926 ..

Mr Moore: Do you think teachers do not recognise that, Bill?

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Moore, I think a lot of teachers do recognise that, and there is obviously a lot of angst in our teaching profession about these bans. What the ACT branch of the AEU is doing wrong in this dispute is imposing the bans. Let us have a look at what is happening in other parts of the country. New South Wales has had two one-day stoppages and several part-day stoppages, but there are no bans there. They have gone about it in a different way. Sure, stoppages affect the system, but what affects the kids worse? That is really something that I think the union needs to consider. It is quite clear that these bans are affecting the students. The concerning thing is that there seem to be a number of people who do not mind if the bans continue indefinitely. They seem to accept that this is something that, if needs be, should go for a year or more than a year. I think that is very worrying. That also makes it very difficult to come up with solutions to the problem.

Mr Speaker, there has never been a suggestion that teachers and sporting associations would ever be pitted against each other. In fact, the recent meeting at ACT Sports House, which has been referred to by Mr Berry, provided an opportunity for some AEU teachers and sporting organisations to hear each other's views and to make informed decisions about further involvement. There has been no suggestion that there is, or should be, any organised backlash against sporting organisations which choose to assist student teams - no suggestion, that is, other than that drummed up by Mr Berry. For anyone to push that line is really tantamount to a kind of blackmail. Mr Speaker, I would like to make it abundantly clear that sporting organisations will continue to be welcomed in ACT schools. They have provided a lot. Recognition of that by a lot of teachers who welcome their involvement has been recorded. We certainly will continue to work with both groups to foster greater communication and cooperation at all levels of school sports.

Rather than considering Mr Berry's motion, it is probably more appropriate that this Assembly consider a motion that will assist our students. Therefore, I move the following amendment to the motion:

Omit all words after "regret" and substitute "and concern at the impact on the school community in the ACT of the bans on certain activities put in place by the Australian Education Union and calls on the Australian Education Union to lift the bans immediately".

Mr Moore: Ha, ha!

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Moore laughs. It is interesting, Mr Moore, that the P and C, who has been very supportive of the demands and claims of the teachers for greater recognition and for financial recognition - and that has been recognised - now wants to be involved in the Industrial Relations Commission. We certainly do not have any problem with that. They have also stated in their press release that it is in the public interest as well as in the interest of students and parents that bans such as those which are affecting work placement and experience, interschool sports, parent-teacher nights and some student social activities be lifted and the dispute resolved.

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