Melbourne terror: Merlino backs department as school scraps Melbourne visit

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino has defended his department after a school cancelled a student camp in Melbourne.

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino. Picture: AAP

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino has defended his department after a school ­cancelled a student camp in the wake of Friday’s Bourke Street terro­r ­attack, insisting schools had not been told to stay away from Melbourne.

Healesville Primary School in the Yarra Valley was criticised yester­day for its decision to cancel a four-day city camp for students, claiming it was following departmental advice. The decision, ­announced on its Facebook page at 8.23am on Saturday, sparked a mixed reaction from parents.

While several claimed to be ­relieved, many described it as an over-reaction.

“On advice from the Department of Education, in light of violen­t events that occurred in Bourke Street yesterday, we have had to cancel the Grade 5/6 City Camp that was due to begin on Monday,” the notice said. “This is not a decision taken lightly, but the safety of our students is the main priority. School will run as normal next week (and) a discussion will be had then about the next step.”

The message came after Premier Daniel Andrews said additional security measures had been taken to ensure the city was safe.

Department of Education deputy secretary Bruce Armstrong denied that his staff had recommended the camp be cancelled and Mr Merlino also came out in support of the department: “They did not provide ­advice to schools to cancel excursions,” he said. “Our city is a safe place and, as the police have said, Victorians and schools should continue to go about their normal business.”

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graha­m Ashton criticised the move. “That’s exactly what terrorists want,” he told radio station 3AW. “We’ve been encouraging people to get on with their lives.”

Mr Armstrong confirmed that the department had assisted the school principal with a risk assessment and the principal had taken the decision “due to concerns in the school community”. “This decisio­n was made just hours after the exclusion zone was lifted,” he said.

Principal Cameron Heath did not return calls yesterday.