TAFE man in online attack

A MANAGER at TAFE North told a teenager she needed “a good smacking” for protesting against Queensland’s antiabortion laws.

The 16-year-old — the daughter of prominent Cairns GP Dr Heather McNamee — was photographed by the

Cairns Post at a recent prochoice abortion rally, holding a placard.

A male Cairns-based TAFE senior staff member later wrote on social media, in response to the photo, that “this young girl needs a good smacking and told to go back to the kitchen.”

The Facebook post has since been deleted.

Dr McNamee complained to TAFE North about its employee’s post, saying it set a bad example for the educational institution.

She received a letter from the TAFE North’s general manager Joann Pyne, who responded that she would not be taking any action, as the staff member had made the comments in a personal capacity from his personal Facebook account.

“An investigation into the matter has now been undertaken and found that (the staff member) was not commenting on behalf of TAFE QLD,” she wrote.

“The comment you detailed in your complaint does not reflect TAFE QLD values.”

Dr McNamee, who is a vocal pro-choice campaigner, said she was used to receiving abuse whenever she commented publicly on abortion issues.

However she said she was disappointed that the senior staff member, who was in a position of power within the institution, would make such damaging comments.

“I was probably more disappointed that someone in Joann Pyne’s position wouldn’t take a more passionate stance about it,” she said.

“What message does that give a teenage girl who is standing up for her reproductive rights?

“People have been sacked for making comments like that on Facebook.” When approached by the

Post for comment, Ms Pyne said the staff member had been counselled about his “inappropriate” comments to a member of the public, via social media.

“The comments made were done so by the staff member in a private capacity and do not reflect the views of TAFE Queensland North,” she said.

“The matter has been reviewed in line with the Code of Conduct and appropriate action has been taken.”

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER HAS NOW BEEN UNDERTAKEN AND FOUND THAT (THE STAFF MEMBER) WAS NOT COMMENTING ON BEHALF OF TAFE QLD. THE COMMENT YOU DETAILED IN YOUR COMPLAINT DOES NOT REFLECT TAFE QLD VALUES JOANN PYNE