Page 3246 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 18 October 2006
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
When Mr Barr got around to addressing the content of my motion he had very little to say except, “We have not done it and we will not do it.” By so doing, he is leaving that work up to volunteers, the experts and the good-hearted people who care to work with the scarce funds—in this case the P&C, which I believe has a very small budget. Yes, turn to your colleague and smile smugly. The P&C association does not have a lot of money, but it is putting it into making sure that this information gets out there. That is probably not what it planned to be doing this year.
A number of people denigrated—and I have heard SOS mentioned several times here—save our schools. Once upon a time it meant save our suburbs but, anyway, it is a useful term. Those are the very people whose advice the government has sought at other times. So it is okay when it agrees with what you are doing, but it is not okay when it does not. That is not fair. Imagine when you come back to those people at another time and want their support, after the kinds of things that have been said today.
I want to thank Ms Porter for contributing to the debate today. I think it is unfortunate that she decided to get personal about me. I do not believe I have been personal when I talk about the fact that I have not heard a backbencher speaking on these topics. It is right and proper, no doubt, that she do her job in mouthing the government’s view. I am sure that when she is in that mobile office, she must hear some constituents saying that they are really scared about what is happening. What does she tell them, I wonder. No doubt she will make strong representations to Mr Barr. Is that the end of it? Is that where the backbencher’s job finishes? Does she wonder why she does not hear more criticism? It is just the way it is that people still have a huge amount of respect and trust for government but also fear that if they speak up and are critical, they might lose something along the way.
I am just wondering, when she talks about my motion as a delaying tactic, whether she really understands what cost-benefit analysis is. It is about saving a lot of trouble later on. It is this government that is going to wear that trouble. It just might be worth taking a cautionary look and thinking about the future of yourself and of other members of the government, not to mention the future of our schools.
It was interesting to hear what Ms Porter said about the work experience student in my office who prepared a survey. I want to tell you that we worked very hard in trying to liaise with Mr Barr’s office about that. We never, ever got the definitive sort of response that said, yes, go ahead; do not go ahead; do it this way; or do it that way. We phoned and phoned. We did it—I mean Ovi did it. He is a young man who wanted to do that. He wanted to do something. He hopes to go to Dickson College when he is finished at Campbell high. That was sent out. Of course I did not say, “Send it back to the department.” I want to know what young people say. I do not believe young people are being consulted. Some of them will write submissions and some of them will not. I am not expecting a high return on that survey, but at least it is something out there. I will let you know exactly what comes back in, Mr Barr.
Mr Barr: I am sure you will. You are perfectly entitled to, but do not try and dress it up as not being political.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .