Page 857 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 2 April 2008

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MR SPEAKER: You asked why—

Mr Stefaniak: I asked very specifically why there is this exodus from government schools to non-government schools. It has nothing to do with Lyons. In fact, he is probably also reflecting on a debate we are having at present in the Assembly and which is part heard. It is totally irrelevant.

MR SPEAKER: Come back to the subject matter of the question, please, Mr Barr.

MR BARR: Thank you, Mr Speaker. In looking at factors that influence enrolments, it is worth noting the views of a government P&C president. The letter went on to say:

MR SPEAKER: Mr Barr, the question was about why people were departing from the school system.

MR BARR: That is right. I am about to get to an important insight, Mr Speaker, into why that is so. So if you let me finish, I will be able to bring this all together very succinctly. The letter goes on to say:

We have been looking forward to working collaboratively with the Department of Education on the move to Yarralumla for the Italian bilingual program and on the renovations to the Lyons Primary School building in preparation for the P-2 structure next year. It is disappointing to us as a committee that one parent in our community has used our children to score a few points for her political career. Mrs Dunne is not qualified to speak for the school community—

Mr Stefaniak: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I maintain that it is clearly not relevant to an exodus.

MR SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Stefaniak. Mr Barr said he was going to draw this together, and I trust that he will. He has not yet.

MR BARR: The letter states:

It is disappointing to us as a committee that one parent in our community has used our children to score a few points for her political career. Mrs Dunne is not qualified to speak for the school community as a whole as she does not hold a position on the school board, nor does she attend P&C meetings. We remain committed to achieving the best possible outcome for our children and to working with the department to achieve that result. I look forward to attending the school board meeting tomorrow evening to hear—

MR SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Barr. Resume your seat. I won’t tolerate that sort of behaviour. You said you were going to address the question.

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