Rockliff owes students, staff and parents an explanation
Minister needs to face community and explain how he will fix debacle
Litany of bungles completely unacceptable
Toilets, heating, hallways, pathways not fit for purpose
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff’s Northern Support School debacle has descended to a new low with revelations today that the litany of avoidable mistakes has deepened with even more bungles to basic amenities.
Shadow Education Minister Michelle O’Byrne said it after it had already been established that Mr Rockliff had allowed the $7.9 million amalgamation and refurbishment of the Ravenswood and Newstead campuses to be so badly botched that the school would possibly not be fit for purpose, new and expensive rectification would need to be undertaken to fix such fundamental features as heating and toilets.
Ms O’Byrne said Mr Rockliff had clearly been asleep as the wheel to allow heating appliances to be installed when the manual accompanying the devices clearly states:
‘This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including Children) with reduced physical, sensory or intellectual capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance.’
In addition, toilets already installed at the school had been built with doors which open inward leading to serious safety concerns for disabled children.
“Everyone – students, staff and parents – want this important rebuild of this school to be a success but you have to question how this has gone so terribly wrong,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“Fundamental safety for these kids has been compromised in basic fittings like the heating – and that’s just unacceptable.
“It’s just appalling that Mr Rockliff has not been watching while bungle after bungle after bungle has been allowed to happen.
“Jeremy Rockliff has already admitted that the cost of this project has ballooned from $6.6 million to $7.9 million but the least he could have done when taxpayer’s money is being spent on crucial projects like this is ensure that it was being done correctly.
“He has let this community down, he has let these students down badly, he has let teaching staff down, he has let parents down.
“Now considerable changes will need to be made to meet the requirements of students and staff and parents but it defies belief that it has come to this.
“Jeremy Rockliff needs to come out today, tell the school community how it went so wrong and – perhaps more importantly – how he intends to fix it.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP Shadow Education Minister
