❓ Hon Peter Collier asks the Minister for Education if she will resign following a no-confidence motion by the SSTUWA. The Minister refuses, questioning the union's motives and highlighting her achievements.
AnsweredQoN 1091Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING - CONFIDENCE OF STATE SCHOOL TEACHERS’ UNION
I refer the minister to the following motion that was passed unanimously by the state council of the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia on Saturday, 18 November 2006 - That the SSTUWA move a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Education in her handling of the Education portfolio. Further, State Council seeks the removal of the current Minister from the Education portfolio. Will the minister acknowledge the no-confidence motion passed by the SSTUWA and resign her position in order that confidence can be restored in the education portfolio; and, if not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
I refer the minister to the following motion that was passed unanimously by the state council of the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia on Saturday, 18 November 2006 - That the SSTUWA move a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Education in her handling of the Education portfolio. Further, State Council seeks the removal of the current Minister from the Education portfolio. Will the minister acknowledge the no-confidence motion passed by the SSTUWA and resign her position in order that confidence can be restored in the education portfolio; and, if not, why not? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. No, I do not intend to resign my commission. In fact, the decision about my future lies very clearly with the Premier. However, I am aware of the no-confidence motion. As I understand, it was moved by a member of the People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes organisation, and it was seconded by a member of PLATO. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I might be unpopular with some members of PLATO in view of the fact that I have not given in to PLATO representatives and abandoned outcomes-based education, which was their sole objective. However, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to wake up and find that this was a front-page story in The West Australian this morning. I can understand that some people might not like the decisions made by the Minister for Education and Training, and I also accept that some of them might feel strongly enough to move a no-confidence motion. However, I have some regard for The West Australian , and I look forward to getting my copy of The West Australian in the morning. I agree with a quote from The West Australian , which states - The union’s . . . votes of no confidence . . . represent a dubious intrusion into politics by union members intent on embarrassing a minister. That was not a quote from this morning’s paper; that was in fact a quote from The West Australian of 11 October 1994. It referred to the time when Hon Norman Moore was the Minister for Education. I am not having a go at the honourable member, because the honourable member might have some sympathy for me for a change. However, on that occasion, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia had four votes of no confidence in Mr Moore in six months. Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for the question. No, I do not intend to resign my commission. In fact, the decision about my future lies very clearly with the Premier. However, I am aware of the no-confidence motion. As I understand, it was moved by a member of the People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes organisation, and it was seconded by a member of PLATO. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I might be unpopular with some members of PLATO in view of the fact that I have not given in to PLATO representatives and abandoned outcomes-based education, which was their sole objective. However, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to wake up and find that this was a front-page story in The West Australian this morning. I can understand that some people might not like the decisions made by the Minister for Education and Training, and I also accept that some of them might feel strongly enough to move a no-confidence motion. However, I have some regard for The West Australian , and I look forward to getting my copy of The West Australian in the morning. I agree with a quote from The West Australian , which states - The union’s . . . votes of no confidence . . . represent a dubious intrusion into politics by union members intent on embarrassing a minister. That was not a quote from this morning’s paper; that was in fact a quote from The West Australian of 11 October 1994. It referred to the time when Hon Norman Moore was the Minister for Education. I am not having a go at the honourable member, because the honourable member might have some sympathy for me for a change. However, on that occasion, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia had four votes of no confidence in Mr Moore in six months. Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
I thank the member for the question. No, I do not intend to resign my commission. In fact, the decision about my future lies very clearly with the Premier. However, I am aware of the no-confidence motion. As I understand, it was moved by a member of the People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes organisation, and it was seconded by a member of PLATO. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I might be unpopular with some members of PLATO in view of the fact that I have not given in to PLATO representatives and abandoned outcomes-based education, which was their sole objective. However, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to wake up and find that this was a front-page story in The West Australian this morning. I can understand that some people might not like the decisions made by the Minister for Education and Training, and I also accept that some of them might feel strongly enough to move a no-confidence motion. However, I have some regard for The West Australian , and I look forward to getting my copy of The West Australian in the morning. I agree with a quote from The West Australian , which states - The union’s . . . votes of no confidence . . . represent a dubious intrusion into politics by union members intent on embarrassing a minister. That was not a quote from this morning’s paper; that was in fact a quote from The West Australian of 11 October 1994. It referred to the time when Hon Norman Moore was the Minister for Education. I am not having a go at the honourable member, because the honourable member might have some sympathy for me for a change. However, on that occasion, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia had four votes of no confidence in Mr Moore in six months. Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
No, I do not intend to resign my commission. In fact, the decision about my future lies very clearly with the Premier. However, I am aware of the no-confidence motion. As I understand, it was moved by a member of the People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes organisation, and it was seconded by a member of PLATO. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I might be unpopular with some members of PLATO in view of the fact that I have not given in to PLATO representatives and abandoned outcomes-based education, which was their sole objective. However, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to wake up and find that this was a front-page story in The West Australian this morning. I can understand that some people might not like the decisions made by the Minister for Education and Training, and I also accept that some of them might feel strongly enough to move a no-confidence motion. However, I have some regard for The West Australian , and I look forward to getting my copy of The West Australian in the morning. I agree with a quote from The West Australian , which states - The union’s . . . votes of no confidence . . . represent a dubious intrusion into politics by union members intent on embarrassing a minister. That was not a quote from this morning’s paper; that was in fact a quote from The West Australian of 11 October 1994. It referred to the time when Hon Norman Moore was the Minister for Education. I am not having a go at the honourable member, because the honourable member might have some sympathy for me for a change. However, on that occasion, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia had four votes of no confidence in Mr Moore in six months. Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for the question. No, I do not intend to resign my commission. In fact, the decision about my future lies very clearly with the Premier. However, I am aware of the no-confidence motion. As I understand, it was moved by a member of the People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes organisation, and it was seconded by a member of PLATO. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I might be unpopular with some members of PLATO in view of the fact that I have not given in to PLATO representatives and abandoned outcomes-based education, which was their sole objective. However, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to wake up and find that this was a front-page story in The West Australian this morning. I can understand that some people might not like the decisions made by the Minister for Education and Training, and I also accept that some of them might feel strongly enough to move a no-confidence motion. However, I have some regard for The West Australian , and I look forward to getting my copy of The West Australian in the morning. I agree with a quote from The West Australian , which states - The union’s . . . votes of no confidence . . . represent a dubious intrusion into politics by union members intent on embarrassing a minister. That was not a quote from this morning’s paper; that was in fact a quote from The West Australian of 11 October 1994. It referred to the time when Hon Norman Moore was the Minister for Education. I am not having a go at the honourable member, because the honourable member might have some sympathy for me for a change. However, on that occasion, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia had four votes of no confidence in Mr Moore in six months. Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
I thank the member for the question. No, I do not intend to resign my commission. In fact, the decision about my future lies very clearly with the Premier. However, I am aware of the no-confidence motion. As I understand, it was moved by a member of the People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes organisation, and it was seconded by a member of PLATO. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I might be unpopular with some members of PLATO in view of the fact that I have not given in to PLATO representatives and abandoned outcomes-based education, which was their sole objective. However, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to wake up and find that this was a front-page story in The West Australian this morning. I can understand that some people might not like the decisions made by the Minister for Education and Training, and I also accept that some of them might feel strongly enough to move a no-confidence motion. However, I have some regard for The West Australian , and I look forward to getting my copy of The West Australian in the morning. I agree with a quote from The West Australian , which states - The union’s . . . votes of no confidence . . . represent a dubious intrusion into politics by union members intent on embarrassing a minister. That was not a quote from this morning’s paper; that was in fact a quote from The West Australian of 11 October 1994. It referred to the time when Hon Norman Moore was the Minister for Education. I am not having a go at the honourable member, because the honourable member might have some sympathy for me for a change. However, on that occasion, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia had four votes of no confidence in Mr Moore in six months. Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
No, I do not intend to resign my commission. In fact, the decision about my future lies very clearly with the Premier. However, I am aware of the no-confidence motion. As I understand, it was moved by a member of the People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes organisation, and it was seconded by a member of PLATO. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that I might be unpopular with some members of PLATO in view of the fact that I have not given in to PLATO representatives and abandoned outcomes-based education, which was their sole objective. However, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to wake up and find that this was a front-page story in The West Australian this morning. I can understand that some people might not like the decisions made by the Minister for Education and Training, and I also accept that some of them might feel strongly enough to move a no-confidence motion. However, I have some regard for The West Australian , and I look forward to getting my copy of The West Australian in the morning. I agree with a quote from The West Australian , which states - The union’s . . . votes of no confidence . . . represent a dubious intrusion into politics by union members intent on embarrassing a minister. That was not a quote from this morning’s paper; that was in fact a quote from The West Australian of 11 October 1994. It referred to the time when Hon Norman Moore was the Minister for Education. I am not having a go at the honourable member, because the honourable member might have some sympathy for me for a change. However, on that occasion, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia had four votes of no confidence in Mr Moore in six months. Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Norman Moore : I thought it was more than that! Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Simon O’Brien : Don’t sell him short. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Hang on. There were four votes of no confidence in the minister in six months, and all he got was this article on about page 96. One must ask: does the editor of The West Australian have an unhealthy obsession with me? Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Kim Chance : No, surely not. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : Surely to goodness, does the editor have an indecent obsession with me? What is it? Does he want me to leave the Parliament and work for him at The West Australian as his private secretary? Heaven forbid; what is this indecent obsession that the editor of The West Australian has whereby, with everything else that is happening in this fantastic state of Western Australia, a no-confidence motion moved by a hundred people - I do not even know whether it was unanimous, but it was passed - is the lead story in the only daily newspaper in Western Australia? I believe that the editor needs a reality check. However, I want to quickly put this into perspective, because I believe it is very important to get it on record. What that story did not say was that I signed a quadrennial funding agreement with the commonwealth. It is worth $230 million annually to the state of Western Australia. In fact, when I took my position on A to E reporting, The West Australian was very supportive, because it believed that we needed to give more and better information to parents. I signed a legally binding contract with the commonwealth government. Is Hon Peter Collier saying to me that I should abandon that contractual arrangement? Is that what he is saying to me? Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Peter Collier : I’m asking if you will resign. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : I am telling the member that I do not intend to resign. However, I am asking the member whether I should throw out that contract. Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon Peter Collier interjected. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH : The member thinks I should throw out that contract. That is absolutely pathetic. I take the contractual arrangements and agreements that I enter into on behalf of the people of Western Australia very seriously. Quite frankly, I agree with the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia’s argument that it does not like the intrusion of the commonwealth government into Western Australia and into the education system. I do not like it either. However, am I prepared to risk $230 million annually and take that out of the state’s education system? I do not think so.
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