Palmer’s education strategy leaves out the cuts

Tasmania has the worst education results in the country, and the Liberal Government’s solution is a strategy that simply pools existing commitments and conveniently leaves out the sweeping cuts they are making to our schools.

Eric Abetz is cutting $228 million from education. The Liberals are cutting support for students with a disability. They are gutting TAFE.

None of that rates a mention in Minister Palmer’s new plan.

You can’t build a skilled education workforce while cutting the people who support it. You can’t build strong foundations while stripping specialist support from the students who need it most. And you can’t create clear pathways for young people while gutting TAFE.

The Government has called its strategy Education TOGETHER. The irony won’t be lost on Tasmanian teachers, parents, and school communities after the Premier’s attack on Trevallyn Primary School last week.

As a former teacher, I know our schools don’t need another glossy document. They need resources, support and a government that has their back.

After 13 years of Liberal waste, Tasmanian students are paying the price. A rebadged plan won’t change that, and it won’t hide the cuts.