❓ Hon Sue Ellery questions the Minister for Education regarding inappropriate comments made by Dennis Jensen, Liberal member for Tangney, about the principal of Bannister Creek Primary School. The Minister confirms speaking to Jensen and expressing concerns.
AnsweredQoN 777Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BANNISTER CREEK PRIMARY SCHOOL — MEMBER FOR TANGNEY'S
COMMENTS
777. Hon SUE ELLERY to the
Minister for Education:
I refer to the inappropriate comments by the Liberal member
for Tangney, Dennis Jensen, on Friday about his wife's employment and
the principal of Bannister Creek Primary School. Has the minister spoken to Dr Jensen;
if so, in that conversation did the minister ask him to publicly apologise;
and, if not, why not?
COMMENTS
777. Hon SUE ELLERY to the
Minister for Education:
I refer to the inappropriate comments by the Liberal member
for Tangney, Dennis Jensen, on Friday about his wife's employment and
the principal of Bannister Creek Primary School. Has the minister spoken to Dr Jensen;
if so, in that conversation did the minister ask him to publicly apologise;
and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for the question.
Can I say at the outset that I concur with the sentiments
that are expressed publicly, in the chamber and in the media with regard to the
comments from the member for Tangney in relation to the principal from
Bannister Creek Primary School. I think they were inappropriate, they were
intemperate and they were unnecessary. I have complete confidence in the
principal. All principals do a tremendous job in managing their schools under
difficult circumstances, so once again I have complete confidence in the
principal. I did speak to the member for Tangney on Saturday and expressed my
concerns to suggest that it certainly was not an appropriate manner in which to
express concerns about a principal—that is, through tweeting. I
suggested that perhaps a conversation with the principal might have been more
appropriate. Whether or not the member makes an apology is entirely up to him;
suffice to say, I think it would be appropriate. I say once again that I have
complete confidence in the principal and I think it was very, very
disappointing that the member chose that manner to express his personal
concerns.
Can I say at the outset that I concur with the sentiments
that are expressed publicly, in the chamber and in the media with regard to the
comments from the member for Tangney in relation to the principal from
Bannister Creek Primary School. I think they were inappropriate, they were
intemperate and they were unnecessary. I have complete confidence in the
principal. All principals do a tremendous job in managing their schools under
difficult circumstances, so once again I have complete confidence in the
principal. I did speak to the member for Tangney on Saturday and expressed my
concerns to suggest that it certainly was not an appropriate manner in which to
express concerns about a principal—that is, through tweeting. I
suggested that perhaps a conversation with the principal might have been more
appropriate. Whether or not the member makes an apology is entirely up to him;
suffice to say, I think it would be appropriate. I say once again that I have
complete confidence in the principal and I think it was very, very
disappointing that the member chose that manner to express his personal
concerns.
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