Mr TOYNE - 1998-04-28
The home of a teacher, living in a departmental house in Papunya, was fumigated by a contractor organised by the minister's department. Without her knowledge, the department's contractor fumigated the home with an illegal and poisonous insecticide. Sadly, the teacher was poisoned and severely incapacitated. Why has the government failed in its duty of care to that teacher and why did the minister's department fail to properly and promptly assist the teacher after she was poisoned? Will the minister admit, against a national shortage of teachers that is making recruitment almost impossible at the moment, that instances like this cost our education system dearly?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the honourable member has been slightly dishonest in the way he has framed the question in a number of respects. Firstly, the matter is being investigated by the Work Health Authority ...
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr ADAMSON: If you wish to interject, at least have the guts to speak up. I can hear little more than a mumble.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: This issue made news at the time. Certainly, a teacher was affected by some chemical spraying in her accommodation. Territory Health Services was aware of the matter at the time, as was the Work Health Authority which is examining the incident. I believe even the member opposite would consider that to be an entirely reasonable response. If the member is saying that we can circumvent that investigation and that we should not go through due process in that case, I think he should be honest and say so. An investigation is ongoing into this matter. The sensationalism of the way it was presented at the time did not help, but we are following the matter through in a sensible and appropriate way and it will be dealt with sensitively and professionally.
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ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the honourable member has been slightly dishonest in the way he has framed the question in a number of respects. Firstly, the matter is being investigated by the Work Health Authority ...
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr ADAMSON: If you wish to interject, at least have the guts to speak up. I can hear little more than a mumble.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: This issue made news at the time. Certainly, a teacher was affected by some chemical spraying in her accommodation. Territory Health Services was aware of the matter at the time, as was the Work Health Authority which is examining the incident. I believe even the member opposite would consider that to be an entirely reasonable response. If the member is saying that we can circumvent that investigation and that we should not go through due process in that case, I think he should be honest and say so. An investigation is ongoing into this matter. The sensationalism of the way it was presented at the time did not help, but we are following the matter through in a sensible and appropriate way and it will be dealt with sensitively and professionally.
Page 213
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016