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Coronavirus

Greens’ Clean Air Package to Keep Tasmanians Safe

We recognise it’s the core business of government to keep people safe and we prioritise this responsibility in our Alternative Budget.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  31 May 2023


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Premier Must Apologise to School Staff

The Tasmanian Liberals’ inane, childish & inflammatory social media attack on the AEU is an insult to every teacher & school support worker

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Mar 2023


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Minister Must Act on School Covid Risk

The Minister for Education needs to tell the community what his plan is to protect Tasmanian students from Covid risks.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Feb 2023


Education, Textbook and Laptop

Tasmania Gets Poor Marks in Education

It’s clear the Rockliff government must do more to improve educational outcomes for children and young people.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  7 Feb 2023


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Greens Stand in Solidarity with Education Staff

​​​​​​​The Greens proudly stand with the Australian Education Union, teachers, and support staff who stopped work and rallied around the state this morning

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Sep 2022


Empty Classroom

Mask Wearing in Schools Necessary for Winter

The Victorian Education Department is protecting young Victorians during the current Covid wave by requiring all students aged 8 and over to wear masks.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Jul 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Children, Education and Youth – South Hobart Primary School

Minister, I've had quite lengthy conversations with your predecessor about the situation at South Hobart Primary School.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Empty Classroom

Children, Education and Youth – Covid in Schools

I want to talk about the department and your response to the very high transmission rates of COVID-19 within Tasmanian schools.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


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COVID-19 - Mask Mandate in Schools

Daily COVID 19 case numbers remain very high. Another 829 people reported being infected yesterday.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Jun 2022


Empty Classroom

COVID-19 - Infection Rates in Educational Settings

Health department data reveals almost 40 per cent of primary school-aged children have not had a single COVID-19 vaccination and half have not had a booster.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 May 2022


Coronavirus

100,000+ Reasons to Mask Up

Today Tasmania’s Covid case count is over 100,000. In real terms, that means about 1 in 5 Tasmanians has been infected.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  6 Apr 2022


Coronavirus

COVID-19 - Removal of Mandatory Mask-Wearing Public Health Order

On the 4 March, 2022, the Premier Hon. Peter Gutwein MP, announced a phase out of the mandatory mask-wearing public health order.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Mar 2022


Empty Classroom

COVID-19 - Numbers of Cases in Schools

Yesterday you were out trumpeting the next stage of your Back to School Plan. Last week you reported 1703 school children were COVID-19 positive.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Mar 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Liberals’ Updated High Risk Covid Schools Plan

The Gutwein Government’s “updated’ Covid school plan denies the reality of massive case numbers in unprotected children.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Mar 2022


Doctor with Patient

Gutwein’s Reckless Removal of Masks

The Gutwein Government’s decision to remove universal mask wearing requirements is reckless.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  4 Mar 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

COVID-19 Issues in Schools

Of the 1703 confirmed active cases, we know that 1292 of them are in primary schools.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Mar 2022


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COVID-19 - Outbreaks in Schools

Our active case load of 5037 people has been climbing every day since 15 February when there were about 3000 active cases.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Mar 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

COVID-19 - Return to School Arrangements

Your plan clearly did not provide COVID-safe learning environments for unvaccinated, unmasked primary school students.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Mar 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Premier Refuses to Apologise for Covid-infected Students, Teachers and Families

We asked the Premier to apologise to Tasmanian parents, students and teachers for not keeping them safe from Covid. Peter Gutwein refused to say sorry.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Mar 2022


Doctor with Patient

Gutwein Reckless Considering End to Mask Mandate

We are unsurprised at the Liberals’ plan to ditch mandatory check-ins, but the Premier’s indication he will consider dropping mask mandates is alarming.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  18 Feb 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Transparency Needed on School Covid Numbers

We are calling on the Gutwein Government to be transparent about Covid case numbers in schools.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Feb 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Unsafe Rush to Face to Face Learning Has Predictable Outcome

School has been back for less than a week and seven Tasmanian schools have reported Covid outbreaks

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  15 Feb 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Students Back to School and At Covid Risk

Many parents will be stressed sending their children to school today, as will teachers returning to the classroom.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Feb 2022


Hospital Bed

Greens Release Plan to Flatten the Curve and Save Lives

Lutruwita/Tasmania needs to flatten the curve to save lives and livelihoods.The Greens’ plan puts the health and safety of Tasmanians and local businesses first

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Feb 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Denny NAPLAN Report an Indictment on Liberal Government

Dr Lisa Denny’s report on a decade of NAPLAN data paints a devastating picture of education in the state.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  31 Jan 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

School Start Plan Unsafe

The plan Premier Gutwein has announced for Tasmania's education system is a plan to keep schools open, not a plan to keep schools safe. 

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  21 Jan 2022


Education, Textbook and Laptop

Education Minister MIA

Parents are anxious to hear the Government’s COVID safe schools plans. But instead of overseeing this critical task, Minister Sarah Courtney has gone on holiday

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Jan 2022


Education, Textbook and Laptop

Gutwein Government Has No Apparent Plan for Preventing Covid in Students with Disability

It’s imperative the government release its plan for how it proposes to keep students with disability safe when school returns - if it has one

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Jan 2022


Doctor with Face Mask

As Covid Surges, Serious Questions Remain Over School Return

Education Minister Courtney needs to explain in detail how children can be kept safe in our schools during this escalating Covid outbreak

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Jan 2022


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

COVID-19 - Vaccine Mandate for Teachers and Childcare Workers

In Tasmania, education and support staff who work with children with disabilities are all required to be vaccinated but teachers are not.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Nov 2021


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Education - South Hobart Primary School

This year there's no apparent funding in the Budget for either the library or any expansion of South Hobart Primary School.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2021


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Education - Trauma Programs

Last year's budget didn't include a budget line for trauma programs, but talked about an increase in total annual funding to $4 million a year.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2021


Line of Electronic Gaming Machines (Pokies)

Day Eight and Gutwein’s Silence on Pokies Tax Deal Still Deafening

Tasmanians still don’t know what they’ll be paying to subsidise the casino pokies tax deal the Liberals have struck with Federal Group.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  2 Apr 2021


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Government Must Invest in Speech Pathologists to Achieve 100% Literacy Target

The Government’s 100% functional literacy target is welcome, but will remain aspirational without investment in recruiting and retaining speech pathologists. 

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Sep 2020


Education, Textbook and Laptop

Greens Welcome Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in State Schools

The Greens welcome the Deputy Premier and Education Minister’s announcement of an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in state schools.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  27 Aug 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Greens Thank Teachers on Public Education Day

On Public Education Day, the Greens thank all teachers and support staff in the public system for the dedicated, tireless work they do.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 May 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Steady as she goes Gutwein on the right track

The Premier has outlined a clear, staged and steady pathway to short term recovery from the coronavirus lockdown.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  8 May 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Back To School Challenges for Teachers and Parents

Confusion still reigns in school communities and many teachers are highly stressed as Term 2 starts.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Apr 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Caution Urged on Term 2 Return

The Greens acknowledge the decision to reopen schools after the break for the children of essential workers and disadvantaged students.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Apr 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Tasmanian Students Should be Provided Laptops

It’s vital the government supports families without computer or internet access by providing laptops and WiFi for the duration of COVID-19.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  7 Apr 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

COVID-19 Schools Announcement Welcome

The Greens welcome the Premier’s advice that parents should keep their children at home from school from Monday if they can.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  27 Mar 2020


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COVID-19 School Closures

Medical evidence and the experience of other countries in the grip of COVID-19 tells us every day we delay effective social distancing is a day too long.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Mar 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

COVID-19 School Closures

How can it be that sending a child to school with hundreds of other children is not a risk but letting a child out to play with one or two other children is?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Mar 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Mixed Message on Schools Creating Confusion

The disconnect from government imposing strict physical distancing measures and not closing schools is creating confusion within the community.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  24 Mar 2020


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COVID-19 Request for School Closures

ANMF Tasmania has added its voice to the growing number of teachers, parents and medical professionals calling for our schools to be closed.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Mar 2020


Education, Textbook and Laptop

COVID-19 - School Closures

Today you have declared a state of emergency, a clear acknowledgment of the great danger COVID-19 poses to our island community.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  19 Mar 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Government Must Close Schools to Limit COVID-19 Spread

Today’s declaration of a state of emergency and implementation of tighter border restrictions were welcome moves by the Premier.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Mar 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

COVID-19 Concerns in Educational Facilities

Sydney has reported 50 new positive cases in the past 24 hours.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  18 Mar 2020


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

AEU Executive Decision on Pay Offer

The Greens welcome the progress between the AEU Executive and the government on wages policy.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  10 May 2019


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Liberals Shoot the Messenger on Education Shortfall

Independent analyst, Martyn Goddard, found state-educated students in Tasmania were being short-changed every year by an average of $908 each.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  27 Oct 2017


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Early Years Education - Allocation of Funds

Andrea Dawkins questions the Minister for Education over the allocation of early years education funding.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  15 Aug 2017


Person with Disability with his Parents

Disability Education Snapshot Shows Liberals' Continued Failure

Today’s snapshot from The Tasmanian Disability Education Reform Lobby continues to paint a picture of chronically underfunded class rooms.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  28 Aug 2017


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Hodgman Government Caves to Extreme Right and Axes Safe Schools

The Hodgman Government's decision to scrap funding for the Safe Schools' program is a sure sign the Government has caved in to pressure from Senator Abetz.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  19 Apr 2017


Person with Disability with his Parents

Greens Call for Better Support for Students with Disabilities

In Greens’ Private Members Time this week, we’ll move to affirm the rights of all Tasmanian students to a quality education.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  10 Apr 2017


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Education Bill Has Gaping Holes

All Tasmanians want to see education outcomes improve, but the Liberals' Education Bill has some gaping holes.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  21 Sep 2016


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Education Act Changes Need Full Community Support

The Greens look forward to seeing the government's final amendments to the Education Act when it's tabled in Parliament this week.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  18 Sep 2016


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Tasmanian Schools Targeted in Overseas Pornography Ring

Reports emerged yesterday of two Tasmanian schools being targeted in an overseas pornography ring.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  17 Aug 2016


Child, Shadow

International Child Exploitation Ring in Tasmanian Schools

It's very disturbing news that two Tasmanian schools have been named in the international child exploitation ring.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  17 Aug 2016


Happy Children, Playing with Parents

Greens Release Alternative to Lower School Age Policy Initiative

Public concern is growing over the Liberal Government's plan to lower the mandatory school starting age.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  6 Aug 2016


Happy Children, Playing with Parents

Rockliff Feels Heat on Education Act Changes

The Minister of Education tried to reassure Tasmanian parents about changes to the Education Act, due to be debated in the next session of Parliament.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  14 Jun 2016


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Rockliff Misleading Over Teacher Numbers

Government figures specify the number of full time teachers in the Department of Education at 4,555 in June 2014 and 4,396 in June 2015.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  8 Jun 2016


Four Young People Sitting on Ledge

My Education Website Poor Alternative to Pathway Planners

Students, parents and educators were shocked when the Government axed the highly effective pathway planners in 2014.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 May 2016


Money, Australian Dollars, Notes

Federal Budget Education Fail

The Federal Budget handed down last night completely fails to deliver the crucial years 5 and 6 of Gonski for Tasmanian schools.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  4 May 2016


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Premier Must Stand Up for Schools at COAG

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.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  31 Mar 2016


Empty Classroom

Liberal Policy Shouldn't Undermine Education Further

The announcement that the government will raise leaving requirement of students to Year 12 or a Certificate Three presents the ultimate test.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  9 Mar 2016


LGBTI Flags

More State Support for Safe Schools Needed

Minister Rockliff and the state government should send Prime Minister Turnbull a strong message, by increasing support for the Safe Schools program.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  28 Feb 2016


Corruption, Handing over Envelope

Transparency on Education Secretary's Appointment Crucial

The government needs to be completely open about the appointment of the new Secretary of the Department of Education.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  23 Dec 2015


Religion, Book

Children's Commissioner Questions School Discrimination

Tasmania's Commissioner for Children has expressed concern about allowing religious schools to discriminate against students of different backgrounds.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  17 Nov 2015


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Anti-Discrimination & Schools

The government's intention to allow religious schools to discriminate against non-religious children is inconsistent with discrimination laws and human rights.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  8 Apr 2015


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Anti Discrimination Act School Amendments Concerns

If religious schools use Mr Rockliff's blanket exemption to discriminate on religious grounds they should hand back every single dollar of government funding.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  19 Mar 2015


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

School Year Begins in Confusion

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff is in denial about the concerns held by parents and teachers over his cuts to Tasmania’s public education system.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  5 Feb 2015


Education, Textbook and Laptop

Pathway Planners Pressure Grows

The Greens welcome the Legislative Council inquiry into the impacts of the government’s decision to abolish the Guaranteeing Futures program.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  8 Oct 2014


Tasmanian Farm, Cows

Bridgewater School Farm Relief

The decision by the General Manager of the Brighton Council not to proceed with an order evicting animals from the School Farm at Brighton is a good start.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  14 Jul 2014


Tasmanian Farm, Cows

Bridgewater School Farm

Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff must stand up and show leadership to save the Jordan River School Farm.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  10 Jul 2014


Classroom, Students with Raised Hands

Post Year 10 Education

The farce that is the Liberal’s post year 10 policy was re-affirmed this morning in Parliament.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  26 Jun 2014


Person with Disability with his Parents

Fund Students with Disabilities

Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff must guarantee not to reduce funding available to support students with disabilities for the 2015 school year.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  16 May 2014