NSW: P&C calls for govt funds for massacre school

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2001
NSW: P&C calls for govt funds for massacre school

SYDNEY, April 20 AAP - The NSW government should fund a public relations campaign for
the Sydney school at the centre of massacre plot allegations, the Parents and Citizens
Association said today.

State association president Bev Baker said the damage caused to Cecil Hills High School's
reputation was "irreversible".

NSW Premier Bob Carr and Education Minister John Aquilina apologised today after it
was revealed government staff leaked incorrect information that the teenager at the centre
of the alleged massacre plot had access to a gun.

"The damage to the boy is probably irreversible (and) I am concerned now that the damage
to the school and public education is also irreversible," Ms Baker told AAP.

"The state government should now provide the funds to give that school the opportunity
for it to engage in the PR and research it's going to need to do to reaffirm and assure
its community that the school is a safe school to send your children."

Mr Aquilina's press secretary Patrick Low today resigned over his involvement in the
affair, while Mr Carr's communications director Walt Secord remains on leave until Monday.

But Ms Baker said the apologies were too little, too late.

She said they were only the first step in mending the wounds caused by Mr Aquilina's
release in parliament of the teenage boy's alleged plans on April 10.

Ms Baker also said the apologies had raised more questions than they answered, as the
minister had "changed his story four times" over the gun rumour.

"If you are dealing with a teenager that changes their story four times, you're starting
to question the veracity of that statement," she said.

AAP kp/nf/sal/las/sb

KEYWORD: MASSACRE P&C

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