Page 236 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
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MLAs from carrying out their duties and to clarify the protocols so that there is no risk of MLAs inadvertently breaching the code of conduct.
I note that there have been a couple of amendments circulated; I will address some of those comments in my closing speech. I commend my motion to the Assembly.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (11.44): The government has proposed an amendment to Ms Lee’s motion, which I have circulated, and I now move that amendment:
Omit all text after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes that:
(a) ACT government schools often host community events outside of business hours that are available to members of the community and where Members of the Legislative Assembly are welcome;
(b) during business hours, government schools are focused on teaching, learning and related activities; and
(c) the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development has approved business hours visits to government schools for members of all political parties, where appropriate;
(2) further notes that:
(a) government schools are required to operate apolitically and electoral engagement by a politician is an inappropriate activity in a government school;
(b) the education minister is responsible for the effective operation of government schools;
(c) for many years a protocol available on the Education Directorate website has provided guidance on government school visits by dignitaries;
(d) the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development has consistently applied this protocol;
(e) the Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly requires members to ‘uphold the separation of powers’ and ‘recognise the unique position of impartiality and the obligations of public service officials’ within a framework of constitutionalism inherited from the Commonwealth of Australia;
(f) government schools are staffed by public servants who are part of an apolitical public service that assists the Executive and serves the community on behalf of the Executive; and
(g) public servants are responsible to the Executive through the ordinary lines of accountability; and
(3) calls on all Members of the Legislative Assembly to work with the protocol and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development regarding any government school visits.”.
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