State schools ban for pedophile MP: [3 All-round Metro Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 27 Feb 2003: 5.
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CONVICTED pedophile and former Labor MP Keith Wright was banned yesterday from operating his literacy business in Queensland schools.
Ms [Anna Bligh] has ordered education director-general Ken Smith to take "appropriate and necessary action". This included issuing instructions to all state school principals that it was not appropriate for them to engage Wright for any purpose, including literacy programs. Independent and Catholic schools also have been advised of the directive.
"None of the advertising nor the website for Mr Wright's company, Outreach Publications, gave any indication of Mr Wright's involvement with the program.
CONVICTED pedophile and former Labor MP Keith Wright was banned yesterday from operating his literacy business in Queensland schools.
Wright, a former state Opposition leader and federal member for Capricornia, was jailed for sex offences against two girls in 1993. He was released on home detention in 1999 before being granted parole.
His literacy program, through his firm, Outreach Publications, was being promoted using state schools.
The company was advertising its literacy services and using school facilities and telephone numbers for promotion to parents wanting to help their child read better.
"I don't think that is reasonable or appropriate," said Queensland Education Minister Anna Bligh.
She said second chances for people convicted of child sexual offences would not be happening in Queensland schools.
Ms Bligh has ordered education director-general Ken Smith to take "appropriate and necessary action". This included issuing instructions to all state school principals that it was not appropriate for them to engage Wright for any purpose, including literacy programs. Independent and Catholic schools also have been advised of the directive.
Mr Smith has written to Wright indicating all contact with Education Queensland should be through the director-general and that he should not make contact with individual schools.
"My advice is that Mr Wright has only provided information and training sessions for staff of the department and parents, but he has used school premises, and school resources have been used to advertise the program," Ms Bligh said.
"None of the advertising nor the website for Mr Wright's company, Outreach Publications, gave any indication of Mr Wright's involvement with the program.
"As a convicted child-sex offender my concern is that the reputation of our schools and public education system is put in jeopardy by Mr Wright's involvement."
Mr Wright said last night he would hold a press conference to address the issues at some stage but that he was making no comment at present.
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