Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Education spokesperson
Prime Minister Turnbull's attack on our public education funding would be crippling for Tasmania. Premier Hodgman needs to defend our schools staunchly at COAG.
The Premier and Treasurer have both said they won't support any tax changes that would leave Tasmania worse off, and cutting the Commonwealth funding to our schools would do exactly that.
After the state Liberals' own cuts to education and the review of the Education Act underway, with no details for how the added years will be funded, our education system is already at breaking point.
Tasmanian students are already struggling to meet benchmarks. Forcing schools to rely on state funding would exacerbate their lack of security and do nothing to improve our students educational outcomes.
The gall of Prime Minister Turnbull to suggest federal funding would continue for independent and private schools, while he abandons public schools, reinforces how out of touch with he is with everyday Australians.
Tasmanian students deserve full Gonski funding if they are to stand a fighting chance at succeeding at school.
Premier Hodgman must do everything he can to stand up for Tasmanian students at COAG and reject the Prime Minister's plan.