The Gutwein Government’s plan to distribute Rapid Antigen Tests to parents in much-touted back to school packs has already hit the wall with families unable to access testing kits.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said as Acting Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff today posed for cameras with back to school packs, schools like Burnie High School were telling parents they had none to give out.
The packs of Rapid Antigen Tests that are being provided by the Department of Education have not yet arrived and we will endeavour to get these to you as soon as possible. Burnie High School Facebook post today
“Once again, the Liberal Government’s lack of preparation before opening the borders to COVID on December 15 is on full display,” Mr Willie said.
“How is it possible that Peter Gutwein and Mr Rockliff have instructed parents to turn up at schools to collect their packs at the same time they pick up school books, yet these packs are missing the most vital and important ingredient?
“When will Rapid Antigen Tests be available to families looking to ensure their children are safe to return to school next week?
“How many RATs does the government have in its stockpile?
“Can Mr Rockliff and Mr Gutwein – in the absence of the Education Minister Sarah Courtney who is overseas on holiday – guarantee they will have enough to distribute and that they will be distributed to all schools and all students and teachers before the start of school on February 9?
“Mr Rockliff has just today talked up efforts by education staff to package up these COVID packs but was he aware some didn’t contain RATs?
“Parents, teaching staff and students are anxious about the return to school and they want solid evidence from their government that schools are ready – not just empty reassurances and empty packs.”
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years
