ACT schools: Senator Zed Seselja robocalls Canberrans about school closures

The ACT government is at odds with the federal government, with the territory shutting all but nine schools and shifting every student to remote learning at the start of Term 2.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is pushing for students to return to the classroom, with government and independent health experts reiterating schools were safe for students.

However a deal struck with the Australian Education Union ACT branch late last month means that Canberra's public school teachers cannot be forced to teach face-to-face.

Canberra Liberals leader Alistair Coe claimed the union had played a larger role in shaping the ACT government's policy than medical experts.

"Unfortunately it seems that politics is determining the outcome here, not medical advice," Mr Coe said.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr dismissed the allegation as a "crazy conspiracy theory", while Education Minister Yvette Berry insisted there was no "secret" deal in place with the union.

Her office later confirmed there was no "formal written agreement" between the education directorate and the teachers union, but rather an approach that had been agreed to by both parties.

Senator Seselja's office robocalled thousands of Canberrans on Wednesday, to ask whether they should remain closed, return for several days a week or immediately reopen.

Of the 2492 who completed the non-scientific survey, 55 per cent had school aged children. Of those, 64.3 per cent said they would send their kids to their regular school if they were able to. Seventy-five per cent either wanted schools back immediately or for the transition at a day or two a week to begin now.

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Senator Seselja said "Canberra families should be able to send their kids to school if they want to".

"The medical advice is clear. Schools are safe. Parents who have done the right thing and followed all the advice want the option to send their kids to school. Andrew Barr seems to be more concerned about his relationship with the Education Union than what is best for students or what Canberra parents need," Senator Seselja said.

"We know students learn best at school, and there is no health reason as to why this cannot occur, but Andrew Barr is digging his heels in and disregarding the majority view of Canberra parents."

However the senator has come under fire for the intervention.

Some people who'd received calls reported being on do-not call registers. Others reported never giving their number to the Canberra Liberals.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr even received a call while he was about to enjoy birthday dinner.

"He doesn't usually ring me, so it was a little bit of a surprise," Mr Barr said, adding he had no problem with local members being in contact with their constituents.

It is understood Senator Seselja used the Australian Electoral Commission to retrieve constituent information, including names and addresses, as well as drawing on his own database he has been building since he became a local member in 2004.

Others viewed the call as an attempt by the senator to place pressure on the ACT government over the issue.

Canberra Liberals leader Alistair Coe denied he'd had any conversations with Senator Seselja on the matter.

Senator Seselja robocalled thousands more Canberrans the previous week asking if anyone in the community needed assistance.

The senator and his office personally called back 750 people who had indicated they wanted help. One staff member even collected groceries for a constituent who had called for aid.

Clarification: This article originally stated Senator Seselja used the Australian Electoral Commission to retrieve mobile numbers. Instead, the senator drew on the list of constituent details provided by the AEC, including names and addresses, to compile the database. The AEC does not disclose the contact numbers of electors.