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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (19 February) . . Page.. 119 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

we posted a letter to all students on 2 December 1996, advising them of new arrangements and requesting that they respond by filling in an enrolment intention form. That was in relation to the move to Dickson. Also, as I think I indicated to you yesterday, I understand that there was a further communication in January.

Ms Tucker, the Department has had, as I have had, numerous talks with the Friends of SWOW since about June last year in relation to this issue. I think the incidents that have occurred at SWOW, Braddon, in the first week of term this year indicate that there are people there who have absolutely no intention of sitting down and engaging in a reasonable, rational discussion in the interests of students. It seems that there are some people there who want only three particular people to be the teachers there and no-one else. It is very difficult to have a sensible discussion when there is really no hope of one side giving any ground whatsoever.

I think the department has been most reasonable in what it has done since discussions on the move to Dickson commenced about halfway through last year. As I indicted to you before, Ms Tucker, I have had a number of talks with both individuals and groups of people from SWOW, including members of Friends of SWOW Inc. I repeat what I said yesterday, Ms Tucker, namely, that the behaviour of certain people at SWOW in that first week of term was reprehensible. There were teachers who were intimidated. One teacher, I understand, was physically abused for about an hour by one individual. That is completely contrary, I think, to what one would normally expect in any civilised community. It is completely contrary to the pamphlet which the School Without Walls puts out, which says that one of the aims of SWOW for the group is "to create a loving, caring community run by its members in which individuals can find support and warmth". There has been precious little support and warmth and normal general courtesy to other human beings shown by a few people in this particular case, Ms Tucker.

Unfortunately, it is quite obvious that the Friends of SWOW Inc. want to continue with the court matter. If they come up with any sensible compromises, I am sure that the department will be happy to listen to them, and I would be; but there does not seem to be any likelihood, from what has happened over the last couple of months, of their accepting anything other than getting exactly what they want at the end of the day in relation to SWOW, Braddon. I find that most unfortunate. I do not think that helps the education of the students who will be remaining at Braddon.

As I indicated yesterday, the department will do all it realistically can to assist those students there until the court case is finished. I find it difficult to think of any more effort that could be made by members of my department. I think they have shown extreme tolerance, understanding and compassion for the students both at SWOW, Braddon, and at the new program that will start at Dickson. I commend them for their efforts. Unfortunately, there is a small group of people who are pursuing this matter and who do not have any interest in any sort of realistic compromise. They just want to get their own way. I think that is unfortunate. Unless they change their attitude, I really cannot see any alternative to having the matter decided by the court. They were the ones who initiated the matter in court and, unfortunately, it seems that they are the ones who just want to continue with that matter in court.

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