Labor’s Kate Lundy doesn’t have to sully herself with the undignified matter of wooing voters.
But the Liberals’ Gary Humphries and the Greens’ Lin Hatfield Dodds want to have an education debate. They’ve got, as far as I can be bothered to tell, the same decades old boring argument on just how much public money we want to spend giving kids in private schools an even better education.
Senator Humphries’ office have been busily emailing out the dispute to media, and we’ve got space to run it for those who want to see. Here at RiotACT we’d rather get the answers to our candidate questionnaire, but it seems the public aren’t allowed to get answers from major party parliamentary candidates any more, we just get to watch them bicker over minutiae.
So here it is:
From: Lin Hatfield-Dodds
Sent: Wednesday, 18 August 2010 6:35 PM
To: Manuatu, Josh (Sen G. Humphries)
Cc: Josh Manuatu; Humphries, Gary (Senator); Dunk, Christian (Sen G. Humphries)
Subject: Re: Letter from Senator Humphries
Dear Josh –
Thank you for the letter from Senator Humphries. Lin has asked me to respond on her behalf, as she is at an event.
Lin challenged Senator Humpries to a debate of the education policies of the Greens and the Liberal party. To quote her press release: she challenged Gary Humphries “to a debate on the parties’ two education policies and how they would benefit Canberra schools”.
She remains commited to having such a debate. As discused with you earlier today, she considers that it would be helpful for the ACT community to invite the Labor party to particpate in this debate, but she does not consider this to be essential if Senator Humphries is not willing to agree to this.
Sentor Humpries’ letter and his comments on the phone today make it clear that he is not prepared to debate the full suite of our respective parties’ education policies. His alternative proposal to debate one particular aspect of the education system.
We therefore conclude that Senator Humphries has declined Lin’s invitation to a debate.
Steve Hatfield Dodds
for Lin Hatfield Dodds,
ACT Greens Senate Candidate
From: Manuatu, Josh (Sen G. Humphries) [mailto:Josh.Manuatu@aph.gov.au] On Behalf Of Humphries, Gary (Senator)
Sent: Wednesday, 18 August 2010 10:20 PM
To: Lin Hatfield-Dodds
Cc: Josh Manuatu; Humphries, Gary (Senator); Dunk, Christian (Sen G. Humphries)
Subject: RE: Letter from Senator Humphries
Dear Lin/Steve,
Your conclusion that I have declined your challenge to a debate is incorrect.
I am quite happy to debate the parties’ “two education policies and how they would benefit Canberra schools” – the topic you proposed.
However, I would expect the major focus of this debate to be our respective policies on funding of non-government schools, in light of the basis on which your challenge originated. I note there is presently enormous interest within the non-government school sector in Canberra in the funding policies of the Greens. Indeed that interest now extends to non-government school communities around Australia.
However, also in view of your lengthy defence of the Greens’ policy on non-government school funding in your communications with me, I would expect this to be the debate’s major focus.
Your response to my invitation to attend tomorrow’s debate is unclear, particularly in light of your media release tonight. I would appreciate if you could confirm by return email your attendance?
I will be at the venue tomorrow night at the appointed time.
I note that the local ACT Greens voted against a bipartisan motion in the ACT Assembly today calling on your campaign to clarify your position. I look forward to the chance for that to occur tomorrow night.
I hope you can make it.
Yours sincerely,
Gary Humphries
From: Lin Hatfield-Dodds
Sent: Thursday, 19 August 2010 9:35 AM
To: Humphries, Gary (Senator)
Subject: tonights debate – confirmation and sorting the details
Dear Gary
I’m glad that we’ve agreed a time and place for our education debate after the to-ing the fro-ing of the last couple of days. I’ll be at the Lady Gowrie Hall at 6:30 tonight ready to debate our parties’ education policies and how they would benefit Canberra schools. I’ll be debating education in its entirety and examining both our parties full education platforms. As we’ve discussed, I’m relaxed about how narrow you want your education focus to be.
I’m also looking forward to a debate on education at the Alfred Deakin High School this afternoon – a debate set up, managed and moderated by students concerned about their futures.
To some housekeeping issues:
1. Paul Thomas has been in communication with you and your office this morning. Can you confirm how many people Lady Gowrie seats and that we will ticket half those seats each.
2. I agree to Michael Moore moderating the evening and suggest that you and I negotiate directly with him this morning how the debate will be structured, including the length of our opening and closing addresses and how parents, teachers and students will be able to engage us in the debate. I suggest that we set up a three way phone call to facilitate this discussion.
Could you respond as soon as possible on these two matters.
Looking forward to a great night focussed on the central nature of education to all children’s life chances and strengthening our nations future.
cheers, Lin
From: Josh Manuatu
Sent: Thursday, 19 August 2010 11:03 AM
To: Lin Hatfield-Dodds
Cc: Gary Humphries
Subject: FW: tonights debate – confirmation and sorting the details
Dear Lin,
In response to your emails this morning and phone call to my campaign team.
With respect, it is clear that you are trying to change the terms of this debate once again.
I remind you that this debate was your idea. You said you’d accept a debate ‘anywhere, anytime’.
In writing, yesterday at 5.31 pm (attached) I specifically laid out the location of the debate and reiterated the proposed format of the debate, two things that weren’t contested by Steve Hatfield Dodds on your behalf.
I remind you that you were the one to request the venue change. Securing a bigger venue makes eminent sense, given the huge interest I suspect this debate will generate. A larger room also obviates the need for “ticketing”, a concept that may lead to many interested Canberrans being unable to attend.
I will be at the Canberra Southern Cross Club in Woden tonight to debate you on this issue in the format proposed.
On the point that you raised verbally, I am happy to make our opening speeches 10 minutes but insist that a panel of journalists have the opportunity to ask a question each with a response by both candidates before opening to the floor.
I’m sure on reflection that gagging the media on such an important issue would be highly inappropriate and contrary to the Greens’ policy on freedom of the press.
Michael Moore is interstate tonight. I am happy to advise that Mr Ian Meikle, editor of the City News, is happy to moderate the debate.
Yours sincerely,
Gary Humphries
Finally there was a media release (not online):
SENATOR GARY HUMPHRIES
Liberal Senator for the ACT
***MEDIA RELEASE***
EDUCATION/SCHOOLS DEBATE
I spoke to Lin Hatfield Dodds a short time ago about this evening’s debate. The Greens efforts to liaise on this debate are as chaotic as their attempts to explain their policy to cut funding to ACT non-government schools.
Yesterday evening, after emailing me to say I had declined to debate her, Lin Hatfield Dodds issued a press release saying, “I’m thrilled Gary has finally responded to my repeated challenges to a debate on education.”
Yesterday I also acceded to her request to change the venue to larger premises – the Canberra Southern Cross Club.
She was advised of this and despite her campaign responding, the Greens have today directed their membership to stack out the former venue – the Canberra Services Club – this evening.
If the Greens can’t organise themselves and if Lin doesn’t know what’s happening in her own campaign, how can you trust the Greens not to strip funding from ACT non-Government schools.
I eagerly await Lin’s confirmation that she will attend the debate she called for ‘anywhere, anytime’.
I look forward to seeing her tonight at the Canberra Southern Cross Club.
19 August 2010
What will happen tonight? Who knows?