Page 239 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
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Ms Lee makes an argument that somehow all MLAs have an integral need for knowledge of the ACT school system and an appreciation of the talent and enthusiasm of students and teachers in ACT schools that cannot be obtained without free access to government schools. It is a hollow argument, and I do not believe it has any support in the code of conduct for MLAs.
How is it that Ms Lee’s expectations would fit with clause 3, requiring members to uphold the separation of powers? What about the requirement in clause 18 that in all their dealings with members of the ACT public service MLAs should recognise the unique position of impartiality and the obligations of public service officials?
These expectations protect the public service and its officers because they serve the government of the day by implementing its policies and responding to its agenda. It would place public servants in a compromising position to be available for interrogation by any MLA, because government school staff, as public servants, are appropriately responsible through the channels I have explained.
None of my remarks on this motion mean that government schools are not appropriately available to MLAs with a legitimate cause to engage with these schools. It is a matter of ensuring that this happens on the basis of a fair policy that is consistently applied. For many years a protocol available on the Education Directorate website has provided guidance on government school visits by dignitaries. On this point Ms Lee’s motion is simply incorrect. The protocol pre-dates me, although it was refreshed and reissued early in my time as minister.
I circulated this policy to all members again this week in response to recent media. I have consistently applied this protocol, irrespective of political party, as is clear in recent media reports. I have applied the protocol to members of the government, including you, Madam Speaker. But I have also applied it to members of the opposition such as Mr Coe and Mr Milligan, who directly approached government school principals in Yerrabi, and Mrs Kikkert, who sought my agreement to visit Ginninderra schools as a local member, despite schoolchildren not being electors.
In consistently applying the protocol I have maintained the integrity of government schools, and I will continue to do so. In no way does the protocol prevent the accountability of the government to the parliament or unduly impede parliamentarians from accessing the information necessary to fulfil their functions. There are many mechanisms through which ministers are subject to scrutiny and responsible to parliament, and information is available to all parliamentarians. The mechanisms apply to all government schools and, where appropriate, I have not stood in the way of members engaging directly with government schools.
It being 45 minutes after the commencement of Assembly business, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 77. Ordered that the time allotted to Assembly business be extended by 30 minutes.
MS BERRY: I have agreed on occasion for MLAs of all parties to participate in educational activities in government schools. In fact, Ms Kikkert and I attended one at
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