Principal Sorry For Voting Leaflet

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday March 28, 2007

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A SECOND Hunter school has been caught up in election controversy, this time for sending parents "how to vote cards" for Fred Nile's Christian Democratic Party.

The material was sent to parents of students at St Pius X High School, Adamstown, by principal Bob Emery.

Mr Emery has since apologised to staff and parents, saying the material "should not have been sent out".

In a note to parents Mr Emery says he sent the cards after being approached by a Christian Democratic Party representative who had led him to believe that Bishop Michael Malone had given permission for the leaflets to be distributed through the schools.

In the note, Mr Emery said he accepted full responsibility for an "embarrassing and misleading situation" and that neither the Bishop, the Diocese nor the Catholic Schools Office endorsed any candidate.

It is understood St Francis Xavier was also approached, but the request was denied.

Christian Democratic Party regional organiser Jim Kendall, a candidate for the Charlestown electorate in which St Pius is located, said he had no knowledge of an approach.

Newcastle Grammar School principal Alan Green was criticised by parents and Newcastle Greens candidate Michael Osborne this week for a newsletter to parents warning of the effect the Greens school funding policy might have on school fees.

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Editorial

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© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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