Assembly inquiry reports come and go, but the report of the Inquiry into school closures (a pdf download) has managed to upset everyone apart from the communities of Hall and Tharwa, who have a recommendation to get their schools back.
So how could they upset everyone else?
- The committee couldn’t even agree with itself, producing three dissenting reports – one for each political party/member (so they’re all mad with each other now).
- Labor are upset at the recommendation to re-open schools, not to mention the criticism – and they say they are prepared to lose government rather than re-open any schools (another Greens-Labor tiff?).
- Flynn is understandably upset at being left out – they’ve fought a long and hard campaign to now have a recommendation that the government should talk to them.
- Save our Schools is upset because the report doesn’t do anything to stop it from happening like this again (fair enough – it is their reason for existence).
… and that’s already before morning tea.
The ABC news has a few more details: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/18/2689533.htm
And the CT has it covered too: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/report-urges-reopening-of-bush-schools/1627026.aspx
All the huff and puff aside, the committee made recommendations; the government has already said it won’t implement them. Does anyone really believe the Greens will cause the government to fall over school closures?