Page 1705 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
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We will continue to support schools and school communities and students in providing the best information and the best access to the services that we can.
MADAM SPEAKER: Before calling the next question, I recognise that there are a number of people in the gallery and I ask them to note that clapping or making comments is considered disorderly. It is good that you are here to be part of the discussion, but please let there be no more noise from the gallery.
ACTION bus service—school services
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to the minister for transportation. I refer to a Canberra Times article dated 1 May which states:
Children at St Vincent’s Primary School in Aranda who catch the bus home have no option but to leave school 15 minutes early under the territory’s new transport system.
Minister, this means that children are missing 50 hours of school each year under the new bus network system. Why is the government forcing children who use public transport to get to and from St Vincent’s to choose between their education and getting home at a reasonable hour?
MS FITZHARRIS: I met with the principal of St Vincent’s last week and we discussed this issue. We have undertaken to keep in touch very closely with St Vincent’s over the coming weeks to see if there some adjustments—
Mrs Kikkert: In the meantime, let kids leave early.
Mr Coe: “We have undertaken.”
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, the minister is on the floor providing an answer.
MS FITZHARRIS: and to work with Transport Canberra and St Vincent’s to look at the timetabling on this route. I understand that there are about 10 students and there were previously around two students using the network who boarded at St Vincent’s. There are some options that we may have to work through with St Vincent’s on that. I had those discussions with them last week. We will continue to work with them, because it is of concern to me.
There is a bus, as was noted in that article, that is available at 3.46, and the bus that arrives at 3.14 they believe does not provide them time to get to the bus stop. So we are looking very closely at those issues and responding, as we have been over the past two weeks, and working closely with a number of schools and school communities on how we can work with them. This is a very good example.
MRS KIKKERT: Minister: who owes a duty of care to students at St Vincent’s after hours who are forced to wait until 3.46 pm for the next bus service?
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