Page 2930 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 20 September 2006
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MRS BURKE: Mr Hargreaves continues to make buffoonish remarks. Settle down. This is a serious issue, Mr Hargreaves. Opposition members will stand by any decision taken by this government that will improve outcomes. I will say that again: opposition members will stand by any decision taken by this government that will improve outgoings and, when necessary, will find innovative ways to inject funds into areas where they are most needed—target the funding—rather than let it be squandered. We have an obligation, as members of this Assembly, to stop and take stock of the current state of the government education system in the ACT. That is unquestionable. Why is the drift happening? We cannot be told. Nobody is telling us. What investigations have you done to find out the reasons for the drift? What have you done?
Mr Barr: It is more than just a drift, Mrs Burke.
MRS BURKE: It is more than just something, something, something.
Mr Barr: There is an overall decline in the number of people under 15.
MRS BURKE: Is there? Any excuse will do at this stage. We have an obligation, as members of this Assembly, to stop and take stock of the current state of the government education system in the ACT. In order to do so, it would seem all too apparent that we seek further input from the community. Surely this is a fair and reasonable thing to do.
Mrs Dunne: People are willing to shell out $4,000 a year.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Dunne! Your colleague is having difficulty getting her message across.
MRS BURKE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. In order to do so, it would seem all too apparent that we seek further input from the community.
Mr Barr: There is a lot of money going into private education lately.
Mr Seselja: Not in the ACT.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Seselja and Mr Barr, discontinue your conversation. Mrs Burke has the floor.
MRS BURKE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Relevant organisations must be brought into the picture more. You are keeping people at a distance. You are pushing people away because you do not want to properly consult. That is clear. You want to hear what you want to hear and no more. You are not listening to the heart of what people are trying to tell you. People want to help. You are simply refusing to help.
Mr Barr, you have to sit there, under the direction of your department, and be the little puppet that has to deliver the hard message. You are the minister. You should take more control of what is going on and speak to people one-on-one. Speak to these groups like you have done.
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