9. ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tāmaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What reports has she received that endorse the implementation of the national standards?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
I have seen two editorials today—the first is in the Dominion Post and the second is in the New Zealand Herald—that back the Government’s implementation—
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It was a very direct question on the part of Allan Peachey. It asked “What reports has she received …”. A newspaper editorial is not a report to a Minister.
Mr SPEAKERI think that in recent times we have accepted that “reports” have become something of a device for all kinds of information. I think that it is not unreasonable for the Minister to outline what information she is aware of that supports the particular view put forward in the question.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I do not wish to take exception to your ruling, but the question—which did not come from this side of the House— asked what reports she has received, not what reports she has seen, which might be any other thing. It was quite specific about receiving reports.
Todd McClayMr McClay is a new member and not used to sitting near the front; I can hear much better at the front. I ask that he be more careful. Obviously, the Minister may well have received the report, because the newspapers may well have been taken to her office, so she has received them in her office. As Speaker, I cannot determine by what means Ministers receive reports. I invite the Minister—
I apologise to the Minister. There is no need for that. The Minister was asked a perfectly simply question “What reports has she received that endorse the implementation of the national standards?”. It does not deserve that kind of abuse being hurled across the House, and I think the member should desist. We have had enough from both sides of the Chamber now.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Both of those glowing editorials recognise, as does this Government, that we have to support parents by providing them with good, clear, honest information about how their kids are doing at school and what they can do to help them do better.
I apologise to the honourable member. When I cannot hear, there is no way I can perform my role of Speaker. I could not hear Allan Peachey, at all. I ask members to be a little more reasonable. This is perhaps the second-to-last sitting of the House this year and we do not need to finish in disarray.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. What reports has the Minister received from the education sector endorsing the use of national standards?
I have reports of numerous supportive messages from teachers and principals that show that the unions are out of step with their members. One principal said: ‘Not all principals share the view of the NZPF and the NZEI. Some of us are quite capable of thinking for ourselves. My senior staff have begun to look at the standards, and the self-review we are doing is very useful.”