House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-29 Daily Xml

Contents

ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:34): I look forward to the next lizard race meeting.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PISONI: My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. What action has the minister taken after the Ombudsman ruled that the SACE Board had acted 'contrary to the law' when addressing the process and marking grievances raised by St Michael's Catholic college?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:34): I thank the member for this question. I actually undertook quite a bit of activity as a result of this issue, including meeting with St Michael's and, again, this is the point I was trying to make earlier. I don't have any information in relation to this in front of me, but the Ombudsman made two findings: one was positive for the SACE Board and one was negative, and that was the one that the member for Unley refers to. I met with the SACE Board also in relation to this matter—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I am aware that the issue of moderation is an issue that a number of schools are grappling with. It is also an issue that the SACE Board is grappling with, and I look forward to the member's submission to the SACE evaluation in relation to this matter.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PISONI: Point of order: the Premier promised that serious questions would be given serious answers. The minister has admitted that she is aware of this situation, yet she is not sharing it with the house.

The SPEAKER: Minister, did you want to add something?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: It was very clear that there were two activities as a result of this issue. I met with the school, and the school—they can check for themselves—walked away, I believe, very happy from the meeting—

Mr Pisoni: Why did they ring me, then?

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Unley!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —and I also met with the SACE Board to discuss that issue in particular, as well as the issue from a policy perspective more broadly.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. I think the question was answered.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! If members want to chat amongst themselves, go out into the refreshment room. The member for Ashford.