Education Minister Joy Burch responds to questions about Menslink breach involving her son

Education Minister Joy Burch listens to questions about a controversy involving her son volunteering in schools without a valid permit.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Education Minister Joy Burch have accused the Canberra Liberals of using "grubby tactics" and stooping to new lows, following questions about a recent controversy involving Ms Burch's son.

Earlier this month it emerged in local Fairfax media reports that ACT authorities had fined mentoring group Menslink $2,500, after they admitted allowing Ms Burch's son to volunteer at schools last year without a valid working with vulnerable people card.

At the time Lloyd Burch, 21, was awaiting sentencing for robbing a fast food store at knifepoint in 2013, to help fund a methamphetamine habit.

Tomorrow the Liberal Opposition will attempt to move a motion in the Legislative Assembly, calling for an inquiry into how Ms Burch's son came to volunteer in Canberra schools without a permit.

But during a drama-filled question time in the ACT Legislative Assembly today, Ms Burch pre-empted the motion by making an unexpected speech to the Assembly.

In her address she took aim at the Canberra Liberals and at Fairfax publication The Canberra Times for their reporting of the issue.

"The narrative that has been created by The Canberra Times and the Liberals shows politics at an extremely low ebb," she said.

"If this is going to be the tenure of the political tact in this place, where family and friends are fair game by the Canberra Liberals and the Canberra Times then I think it is a sad indictment of this place. A sad indictment.

"There is no mention that my son has gone to great lengths to improves his life and be a positive member of our community ... he is a good young man."

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Education Minister Joy Burch responds to questions about Menslink breach involving her son

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