Page 4168 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 21 September 2011
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against any member or the judiciary. Standing orders also stipulate that imputations of improper motives and all personal reflections on members shall be considered highly disorderly.
Having considered the matter, and taking into account the tone and context of the remarks, I would ask Mrs Dunne to withdraw the comment.
Mrs Dunne: I withdraw, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs Dunne.
Questions without notice
Teachers—enterprise agreement
MR SESELJA: My question is to the Chief Minister. Minister, when answering a question on radio on Friday you said: “There seems to be some rumours that teachers would be docked a day’s pay if they don’t come to work today. That’s not true, but I would say that if teachers are able to get to school there are children turning up to school so it would be great if you could turn up and just give a hand … But obviously if you can’t get to school you can’t get to school but you won’t be docked a day’s pay for that.” Minister, why did you make this comment and do you stand by it?
MS GALLAGHER: Why did I make it? I was asked a question about it. That was my answer to a question. And, yes, I do.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, a supplementary.
MR SESELJA: Why then, minister, approximately one hour after your comment, did the education directorate issue an email? It said:
If staff did not attend work on Friday 16 September, they should be recorded as absent and complete the appropriate leave form …
And:
… this is not an occasion for which leave in exceptional circumstances is appropriate.
How do you reconcile your orders with the advice from the directorate and was the fire on Friday the 16th exceptional circumstances?
MS GALLAGHER: Indeed, I have spoken to the staff involved in that email. There was, I think, a misunderstanding in relation to the communication that was going out to teachers by a particular area within the directorate. My understanding is that was not the position of the director-general, and indeed that original advice has been withdrawn.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Mr Doszpot.
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