Question On Notice No. 1114 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 April 2018 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Minister for Education and Training
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to question on notice No. 832, answered on 10 April 2018, and I note the Shadow Minister for Education was invited to numerous school openings in Geraldton as early as 23 January 2018 and local Members representing the Legislative Council were notified of the Minister's visit on 14 February 2018 ahead of the visit on 15 February 2018, and I ask what is the Minister's office, or the Department of Education's procedure or protocol for inviting local Members of Parliament to official public openings such as these?
Answered on 12 June 2018
The Department of Education has guidelines for the Official Opening of School Buildings which give principals the authority to organise a ceremony at which an official opening will take place. This includes issuing invitations to interested parties such as local Members of Parliament.
As much notice as possible is given of an opening but, when one occurs close to the beginning of a new school year, principals are not always in a position to make timely arrangements due to the summer vacation period.
As a matter of courtesy, the Minister for Education and Training extends invitations to the Shadow Minister for Education.