The Liberal Government’s heartless response to the apprehension of families and educators over COVID safe plans for schools shows they are totally out of touch with community concerns.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said Gutwein Government Minister Roger Jaensch had flippantly dismissed concerns when he was questioned about what plans the government had in place to ensure students, teachers and other school staff would be kept safe once Coronavirus enters Tasmania when the borders open this week.
Mr Jaensch said Labor should “shut up and step aside” when important questions were asked yesterday.
“We are asking legitimate questions about what measures Minister Sarah Courtney has put in place because she has fundamentally failed to address the issue,” Mr Willie said.
“We are asking those questions because parents and school staff are asking those questions because they cannot get an answer out of Ms Courtney.
“We will continue asking until the government provides answers.
“Ms Courtney’s department has undertaken a full school audit but it is sitting in her bottom drawer.
“She has failed to tell the school community what work needs to be done, where it needs to be done, when it will be done and how much the government has budgeted to ensure schools are COVID safe.
“Mr Jaensch was given the opportunity yesterday to allay concerns and either he has no idea of the answer or doesn’t care and, typically, responded with cold dismissal.”
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years
