AEU ACT secretary Glenn Fowler says Ms Kikkert used parliamentary privilege to accuse Canberra’s teachers of criminal activity.

“She accused them of child grooming, which is defined as befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child to lower that child’s inhibitions with the object of sexual abuse,” he says. 

“Nobody should make comment on the Safe Schools program unless they have examined the education materials freely available on the Safe Schools website. Any fair-minded person examining those materials would see that they are reasonable, appropriate, and entirely befitting of a contemporary education.

“The AEU proudly represents 3500 public educators and we will not stand idly by whilst allegations of criminality are made in the Territory’s parliament without sufficient evidence. 

“The account that Ms Kikkert appears to be relying upon is at least third-hand – from student to parent to parliamentarian. It is incumbent upon Ms Kikkert and the Canberra Liberals to ensure that they employ due diligence on hearsay prior to smearing Canberra’s teachers in the Assembly.

“Ms Kikkert’s performance yesterday represents an outrageous slur and it will not go unchallenged.”