[Greens-Media] Coalition, Labor block Greens moves to clean up St John's College

[John Kaye]

Coalition, Labor block Greens moves to clean up St John's College 
 
Media release: 22 November 2012
 
The Coalition and Labor have missed an opportunity to begin the process of addressing the culture of harassment, vandalism and intimidation at St John's College, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. 
 
The Greens moved a series of amendments last night in the NSW Upper House during debate on the O'Farrell government's Saint John's College Amendment Bill 2012 that sought to introduce some important measures to stop the culture of unacceptable behaviour.
 
However, none of the other parties supported the Greens amendments.
 
Dr Kaye, who moved the amendments, said: "The passage of the bill unamended through the NSW Upper House late last night means that it will be business as usual for St John's College.
 
"If passed, the Greens amendments would have begun addressing the sense of entitlement and arrogance that has led to a culture of harassment, vandalism and intimidation.
 
"Unfortunately the O'Farrell government's legislation will not stop the culture of unacceptable behaviour.
 
"It does nothing but restart the council of the college, with all the appointments to be made by Cardinal George Pell.
 
"In rejecting the Greens amendments the government and the Opposition hid behind the cover of a review that is underway of St John's and other Sydney University colleges.
 
"While welcoming the review, the Greens remain concerned that the legislation is a lost opportunity. 
 
"The Greens amendments would have taken the power to appoint members of the council away from Cardinal Pell and put it in the hands of the Education Minister.
 
"The Greens amendments also sought to enforce a 50 per cent female composition of the council as well as specific expertise in dealing with the nature of the problems confronted at St John's College.
 
"The college cannot begin to address its unless the council comprises individuals with the ability to address bullying behaviour and institutionalised bullying, gender equality issues and dealing with sexual discrimination, dealing with the dangerous consumption of alcohol, the prevention of and dealing with delinquent and violent behaviour, and developing strategies for dealing with the victims of bullying and harassment.
 
"By voting against the Greens amendments, the O'Farrell government and the Labor Opposition have ignored community outrage. They have allowed the powerful St John's College alumni to perpetuate their privilege and appalling behaviour," said Dr Kaye.
 
For more information:       John Kaye 0407 195 455