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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (18 February) . . Page.. 39 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):


There have been numerous meetings between various representatives of SWOW and me and the department. There have been meetings at Dickson College between a number of parents and students who were interested in starting that program there prior to the start of term one this year.

I think, Ms Tucker, there has been a lot of talk, a lot of consultation. Realistically, I do not think the department could do any more than it has done. There is obviously a deliberate campaign here by a few individuals to stay and complete and run a program that they want to run, which I think now quite obviously lacks any real educational benefit to students at the Braddon site, come what may. That is why we are in court. The matter now, in terms of the resolution of that, is before the court. I understand that the court is keen to have an expedited hearing. That is exactly what we want, so that the best interests of the students can be looked after. I reiterate what I said earlier: The department will look after the best interests of those students as best it can at the SWOW Braddon site until the matter is substantially resolved in the court hearing.

Mrs Carnell: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, I understand that you wish to make a personal explanation under standing order 46.

MR BERRY: Indeed, sir.

MR SPEAKER: Proceed.

MR BERRY: Thank you for your leave to correct the record, Mr Speaker. I claim to have been misrepresented and I would like to set the record straight in relation to distortions which were made during question time about my public statements.

Mrs Carnell: I am going to table your press releases in a minute.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, the weekend before last I issued a press release which was headed:

CARNELL'S HEALTH BUDGET OUT OF CONTROL - AGAIN

WASN'T THE EXTRA $38 MILLION ENOUGH KATE?

If Mrs Carnell is going to refer to my press releases, I wish she would have the good grace to read into the record the lot of them, because that makes a lot more sense.

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