Public School Teachers

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:40): Supplementary: can the minister commit to resolving the matter by Christmas?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am not going to put an artificial deadline on exactly when things will be resolved. Often, particularly with something as complicated as the teaching profession, it typically has taken many, many months. As I say, I am pleased that everybody is back around the negotiating table this week and I think everybody wishes it to be resolved as quickly as possible, but it needs to be resolved not just responsibly but in a way that can practically work.