Page 4196 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 21 September 2010
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Animal Services provides through the pound than the RSPCA provides. I would have thought that the antecedents of the majority of dogs that the Domestic Animal Services rangers deal with would be part of the explanation in relation to the difference in relation to disease, the behaviour of disease and the spread of disease as between the RSPCA and the pound. I think we need to show some respect for DAS. They are dealing with dogs that have escaped from home, that have been excluded from home, that run wild on the street or otherwise behave in dangerous ways.
MS BRESNAN: Supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Given that the parvovirus remains in the environment for 12 months after contamination, can the minister assure the community that the car park and walking tracks near the pound are not contaminated and do not pose a risk?
MR STANHOPE: I will take the question on notice and seek those assurances.
Schools—truancy
MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Recently, the principal of Lanyon high school, concerned about truancy at the school, asked local retailers to deny service to school-age children during school hours—in fact, he actually seemed to have asked them not to serve people who were wearing Lanyon high school uniforms. In response, the Human Rights and Discrimination Commissioner made public statements about the operation of the Discrimination Act. Minister, did you or your department know about the intention of the Lanyon high school principal to take these actions? If yes, what discussion did you or your department have with the principal before he took these actions? If no, have you had subsequent discussions with the principal—either you directly or through the department?
MR BARR: My understanding—speaking on my own behalf, no, I have had no discussions with the principal. In relation to the department—not initially, but subsequently, yes.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary?
MRS DUNNE: Minister, could you outline for the Assembly the nature of those conversations? Do you support the right of truant students to demand service from retailers? If yes, what message does this send to students who have a tendency to absent themselves from school?
MR BARR: As members would be aware, school principals have a range of responsibilities, including the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of their students. As has obviously been canvassed in this debate, under the Education Act attendance at school is compulsory during designated school hours.
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