Page 1266 - Week 05 - Thursday, 31 May 2007
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That is the principle we are debating here and that is what the minister should be doing. Whilst I am heartened somewhat that at least he is going to have another look, the matter could very simply have been rectified by his coming in here and correcting the record at 10.30 today after this had been brought to his attention, and properly so, by Mrs Dunne. Mrs Dunne has been very proper in dealing with these difficult matters. These matters happen from time to time. We have concerns about the general issues of bullying, but in individual cases I think both sides in this house have been very careful to ensure that parties and schools are not named.
There has been a reasonable flow of information between the government and the opposition and that should continue. It certainly occurred with the previous government and it is something that should continue with this government. It is quite proper for Mrs Dunne to raise this issue as she has done, and I am disappointed that the minister does not just come in here and correct the record. That is the principle involved here and I ask the minister now to reconsider and to make an explanation. Then we can all get on with the rest of the business of the Assembly.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (11.07): This is a very difficult topic and there is no doubt that providing education is becoming a more challenging thing to do in an environment where, I am told by my daughter who is currently in a public college, the use of the mobile phone with its camera and YouTube are adding extra dimensions to schoolyard activities. We have to be aware that we are operating now in a very different context from the one we as educators were operating in 10 years ago.
Mrs Burke: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker, on relevance. We are not discussing the issue of bullying.
DR FOSKEY: I beg your pardon?
Mrs Burke: We are discussing the motion in regard to protocol in the Assembly.
MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mrs Burke: You were steering away from talking about bullying.
MR SPEAKER: This is about an education matter which is at the centre of the motion which was put to the Assembly.
DR FOSKEY: That was by way of introduction because it is not easy for me to say what I believe I need to say here today and I felt it essential to put it into context. I have been a teacher in public schools and I have had children go through public schools, so I do actually have a context to put this in.
This whole incident is new to me. I only heard about it yesterday and today and I have just caught up with it in a very quick time. From where I stand, I am afraid that it does look as though there has been a breach. The adjective “flagrant” was used by the minister as a way of somehow excusing a lack of attention to what I see as a generally accepted protocol. Like all other parents, as a parent it is important that I feel that my child is as safe as can possibly be when she goes to school. The whole reason why we
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