Saffin’s proposal to leave bats and move Maclean High School out of touch with reality

February 12, 2010

The Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin has lost touch with the community following her outrageous claim that Maclean High School should be relocated so thousands of flying foxes can remain in trees near the school, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said today.

ABC North Coast radio reported this morning that Ms Saffin believes the idea of moving Maclean High School had more merit than moving the colony of bats.  Mr Hartsuyker said Ms Saffin had lost touch with reality.

“Of all the so called solutions which have been proposed about the Maclean bats, this suggestion by Janelle Saffin is clearly the most ridiculous. As the bats continue to defecate over the school and nearby houses Ms Saffin now wants to spend tens of millions of dollars to relocate the school. This is pie in the sky stuff. It ignores the impact these bats are having on students, teachers and residents today.

“We are talking about the here and now and Janelle Saffin is looking into a crystal ball and coming up with half-baked, whacky proposal that will never be delivered. It’s absolutely ludicrous that Ms Saffin would propose to build a new school, whilst Maclean Hospital down the road is being downgraded and medical staff are being starved of resources.  The Rudd Government has lost touch with the community and they have also lost control of the nation’s finances. This hair brained suggestion by Janelle Saffin reflects that.

“Ms Saffin doesn’t seem to understand that the bats in Maclean are a public health issue. What is it going to take before she acknowledges the safety of students, teachers and residents is being placed at unnecessary risk. And if Ms Saffin believes the school should be relocated what does she say to the nearby residents who are also suffering?

“The failure of the Federal and State Governments to act is a disgrace and the time for action is now. I repeat my call to Janelle Saffin to support my Private Members Bill so the Federal Minister for the Environment is given the emergency powers to address public health issues such as this.”