[Greens-Media] Minister Tebbutt: unelected and unaccountable

[Kristian Bolwell]

Media Release 
9 August 2005 


Minister Tebbutt: unelected and unaccountable

Carmel Tebbutt's assertion that she will remain in the job as the NSW Education Minister after resigning from the parliament to campaign for the Marrickville by-election smacks of arrogance, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today. 

"It is nothing short of extraordinary that a Minister would even canvass remaining in the job after resigning from parliament," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"It is not appropriate to be a Minister on the assumption that you will win an election.

"The people of NSW deserve a Minister for Education, who is a member of parliament, and is accountable to the parliament and nothing less. 

"If this is the new way of doing things under Premier Iemma, accountability in NSW has gone out the window. 

"Ms Tebbutt has placed herself in an unenviable position. She is either assuming she will win the by-election and does not think she will need to campaign, or she will be neglecting her education portfolio while she tries to convince Marrickville voters that Labor wont take them for granted yet again.

"The government should take Ministerial office seriously, and appoint a replacement minister following Ms Tebbutt's resignation from parliament."  Ms Rhiannon said. 



For more information * Kristian Bolwell * 92303551, 0411638320


Kristian Bolwell
Adviser to NSW 
Greens MLC 
Lee Rhiannon
tel: 02 9230 3551
fax: 02 9230 3550
www.lee.greens.org.au