Page 947 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR SPEAKER: I think there were a number of parts to the question but, Chief Minister, if you could answer the second half of the question, thank you.
MR STANHOPE: The letter was to me and I am giving you some outline of the actions that I have taken in relation to a public interest disclosure—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, unless you intend to answer the second half of the question, you can sit down at this point.
MR STANHOPE: I beg your pardon, Mr Speaker. I am answering the question that was asked of me and I can answer it in any way I choose. The minister has my full—(Time expired.)
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Chief Minister, do you support the apparent inaction of the minister for education who, according to this open letter today, did not support teachers at Bimberi when they were criticised by the Official Visitor for “not trying enough”?
MR STANHOPE: I do thank Mrs Dunne and her Liberal Party colleagues for this late-found interest in the welfare of people that are incarcerated in the ACT, whether it be at Alexander Maconochie or Bimberi. It is wonderful to see the implications and the effect which a human rights culture actually does bring, now that we have actually engendered one. It was opposed completely by the Liberal Party. I must say this late hoorah and deep interest in human rights—a notion that they have opposed root and branch for the last 10 years—really is quite refreshing. The minister has my—
Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, one moment, thank you. Stop the clocks, thank you.
Mrs Dunne: Mr Speaker, I asked a question about whether the Chief Minister supports the inaction of the minister for education. That is the question and the standing orders require him to answer it directly.
MR SPEAKER: Chief Minister, the question, thank you.
MR STANHOPE: Just so as not to be continually verbal in relation to these issues, Mr Speaker, Ms Burch has my full and utter confidence, as does her department. The minister for education has my full and absolute confidence in relation to his management of his portfolio. Indeed, it is simply not true that the allegations—an allegation has been made; it has not yet been tested. An allegation has been made in relation to a lack of action. There has been no lack of action or interest by either the minister for community services or the minister for education. It is on the record that there has been significant action.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video