Qld Govt slams 'tasteless' red pen debate
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The Queensland Government says a parliamentary debate about banning red pens is tasteless and trivial.
A Queensland Health document advises teachers that students with mental illness can perceive red pen as "aggressive", and suggests using a different colour.
Deputy Opposition Leader Mark McArdle raised the issue in Question Time.
"Don't you think it's time we focused on classroom outcomes rather than these kooky, loony, loopy, lefty policies?" Mr McArdle said.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson says it is no laughing matter.
"How tasteless their approach to the issue of mental illness is. This was a kit that was to help teachers," he said.
Premier Anna Bligh says MPs should be discussing the economy and not the colour of pen that teachers are using.
But the Opposition says it is bureaucratic madness.
The President of the Queensland Teachers' Union says he is disappointed the Opposition used students and teachers for political games.
Steve Ryan from the Teachers' Union says the Opposition needs to treat education more seriously than that.
"If this is the standard of contribution the State Opposition is going to make it will be a sorry day if they get into power," he said.
"Because this is an issue that is of course not a serious issue in schools and with teachers, and it's also not good form to be making fun of mental health issues."
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