WAS ELIZABETH COLLEGE ASSOCIATION MEETING QUORATE?

Or Did Premier Base Decision to Force EC into Tasmania Tomorrow on Invalid Meeting?

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today expressed astonishment that Premier David Bartlett is unable to confirm that the decision of the Elizabeth College Association, on which he is relying to force Elizabeth College into Tasmania Tomorrow next year, was made in accordance with its constitution.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that there is a widely held view among the school community that the meeting at which the decision was made did not have a quorum, and that therefore any decision made is invalid.

“Mr Bartlett’s decision to force Elizabeth College into Tasmania Tomorrow next year is directly responsible for massive unrest among teachers and support staff, and it now appears that he did not even have a valid recommendation from the Association,” Mr McKim said.

“If there was no quorum present, then Mr Bartlett is effectively ignoring the majority views of unionised teachers on nothing more than a Principal’s whim.”

“It shouldn’t surprise us that the Premier has made such a crucial decision without any formal advice whatsoever, given the lack of consultation that has been such a hallmark of Tasmania Tomorrow right from the start.”

“This sorry saga shows how out of touch Mr Bartlett has become from the teachers and support staff who work so hard to deliver outcomes for Tasmania’s students.”

“The only way for Mr Bartlett to allay the concerns is to produce the minutes from the meeting, but surprisingly he has been so far unable to do that.”

Mr McKim said that section 4.4.2 of the Elizabeth College Association Constitution makes it clear that 9 members of the Association must be present for a quorum, and section 4.4.1 confirms that the Association must not deal with any business unless a quorum is present.

ATTACHED: Constitution of Elizabeth College Association (relevant section 4.4 is on pg 9).
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader