Page 3247 - Week 10 - Thursday, 25 September 2014
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I understand absolutely Di Priest’s position and she is clearly in a position to stand by those people that she is responsible for. I understand that. But make no mistake, everyone I have spoken to supports that position, other than, it would seem, the Canberra Liberals and the federal Liberals who are denying schools their choice to have what they want.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, under what circumstances will you reject the funding from the commonwealth?
Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, it is hypothetical. Mr Wall is asking for an unspecified range of possible scenarios that the minister has to try and answer. It is a completely unreasonable and clearly hypothetical question.
MADAM SPEAKER: I am not entirely convinced it is hypothetical. Mr Wall, can you repeat the question, please?
MR WALL: Certainly, Madam Speaker. The question was: under what circumstances will the minister reject the funding from the commonwealth?
Mr Hanson: On the point of order, Madam Speaker, there is a great deal of confusion. What we want is an answer very clearly on whether or not the minister will accept the funding. She has previously said that the position of this government—as late as 27 August—was that they would not administer the scheme unless they could choose secular counsellors—
Government members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, I think this is a speech. I have been asked to rule on whether Mr Wall’s question is hypothetical. I actually do not believe it is hypothetical. I think I will allow the question.
MS BURCH: Perhaps this is a hypothetical question: why would secular workers be denied the opportunity of employment?
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, could you inform the Assembly why you support the maintenance of the status quo?
MADAM SPEAKER: I presume what you mean is the status quo in relation to the chaplaincy program.
MS BERRY: The choice of schools to choose a chaplain or a secular worker.
MS BURCH: It is important because it has served our school community—the government schools, the independents and the Catholic communities alike—well. We
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