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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (23 June) . . Page.. 820 ..

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I am happy to answer. I, like most people here, am aware that Woolworths and Davids are intending on 1 July to attempt to enter the market. Robyn Sheen, in the conduct of her review, sought legal advice, and that will be available to members later in the week.

Mr Corbell: A "do nothing" approach.

MR SMYTH: It is not a "do nothing" approach at all, Simon, and you know that.

Primary Schools - Work for the Dole Scheme

MS TUCKER: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Education, Mr Stefaniak, and is in relation to the proposed work for the dole scheme in ACT government primary schools. Can the Minister explain to the Assembly how the Government devised this policy, and why there was no community involvement in the development of the proposal? In light of the fact that the Australian Education Union has passed a resolution saying it opposes work for the dole in the ACT's government schools, and the publicly expressed concerns of the Parents and Citizens Council, I also ask the Minister whether he stands by the proposal and the process up to date, including the denial of information to the Education Committee on grounds of commercial-in-confidence?

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Speaker, I might read to the Assembly, in answer to the member's last question, from a transcript of the proceedings. Ms Tucker, I understand also that those proceedings were meant to be proceedings in confidence, a briefing to the Assembly committee. However, seeing that you have seen fit to go out to the media about it, there is a transcript of those proceedings. I think you will recall the chief executive of the department indicating that there was not a denial of information, and I think the transcript of the proceedings quite clearly shows that. The relevant parts, about halfway down page 43, state:

MS HINTON: I mean, it is not a full time training program, I do not mean to imply that in any way, but we are certainly proposing some training.

THE CHAIR: Can we see your application? Have you got a problem with that? You seem to be - - -

MS HINTON: No, I do not think so.

Ms Tucker: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I do not know whether I can do this, but I would like to make a personal explanation to cut that short - - -

MR SPEAKER: No.

Ms Tucker: Because the committee was told later - - -

MR SPEAKER: No. Later.

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