Today in the House I questioned Hekia Parata about the consultation process around school closures and mergers in Christchurch. It would be fair to say it took quite a few attempts before I got any answers, and even then I’m not sure I’m any clearer after her comments such as “I consulted the submissions that had been submitted”.
The government’s current consultation process around the future of schooling in greater Christchurch is a total sham. Hekia Parata began an ‘open consultation’ on 13 September but confirmed in the House today that she will be writing to school boards within days to formally begin the legal process to implement her plan to close and merge schools.
To make matters worse, documents from the Ministry of Education tabled in the House today suggest they only envisage a formal consultation process of five to six weeks, which just so happens to coincide with school holidays and senior student exams.
There is no way the Government can get meaningful information from teachers, parents and children during the exam and holiday period. This whole process looks like a sham and sounds like a sham, because it is a sham. Hekia Parata has clearly already made her mind up.
This is another classic Hekia Parata botch up. The people of Christchurch have been through enough trauma in the past two years. Rather than engaging in a meaningful way with those affected, Hekia Parata seems determined to add to the stress.
Wow, finally a Labour MP’s woken up to a real and current issue that people can comment about.
Watched House, thought Heck-yeah was well out of her depth, looked and sounded frustrated, not on top of her portfolio..seems more concerned about her image than answering questions.
Good Job!
This is a government on the rack and under siege and they don’t like it.
A typical case of Parata avoiding answering questions – happens every question time.
How quickly it all changes in politics.
Parata, the great brown hope of the nat party, the rising star, the big mover in the last shuffle.
How’s that working out for you, pet?
Just as bumbling as tolley and wilkinson.
Bet she wishes she had the social development portfolio, where it doesn’t matter if you’re crap, like paula, just as long as you’re seen on the news shaking a stick at all the unemployed, solo mums, sick and invalids when the going gets tough.
Are nat women why nat men oppose equal rights?
Bets on another tantrum and a staffer or two down the road after that profoundly inept attempt? At least the frontman breaks up his dim-witted evasions with that hackneyed little vaudeville routine of his.
She’s been busy consulting her consultants on consultations on the best way to consult with Collins on the colour of her hair, outfit and the best pouting posture in the house.
It’s difficult to believe the Ministry of Education is riddled with incompetent staff…or are they? hardly appears Heck-Yeah is using policy advice from her team.
She has never struck me as being smart enough to really be effective as a Minister. Mind you, Johnny boy doesn’t really have that much “talent” to work with..
Watched that debacle yesterday and was amazed that Parata could be so evasive and expect to get away with it. The question of where the Restructuring plan came from and who was involved has troubled many and not just in Christchurch.
Dictators believe that the way forward is to just go ahead and “do it.” In a country which prides Democracy this is likely to unravel – big time. Keep up the good work on our behalf Chris. Ta.
That’s an excellent set of questions Chris.
What James said. And nicely done with Lockwood – genuine questions that ought to be answered. Trevor was right, Hekia did have a go at Lockwood.
Well done Chris! Great questions – the problem with Hekia is that she doesn’t always speak the truth – this means that she is always going to get caught out! She is also a puppet for National, this means she will always struggle to do what she knows in her heart is the RIGHT THING to do. Don’t let up on her, you are a voice for Christchurch families and kids. Thank you.
She’s just a human shield
I am a big National voter. Chris, that is how question time should work. Well done. Your questioning was accurate and answers were unavoidable regardless how many times Hekia tried. This is exactly what Lockwood has been stressing for so long now. Get the questions right and he can support you. Play politics or be provocative then you get the responses that are deserved. Well played!!
Umm, remind me who it was that closed dozens of schools without any consultation (and without an earthquake) under the last Govt?