Confusing schools messaging and preparation

Tasmanian Labor

The Liberal Government continues to drag its feet on getting Tasmanian schools ready for a potential COVID outbreak, while causing ongoing confusion for parents, students, teachers and other staff.

Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said while the Premier has back-flipped on yesterday’s suggestion that the government was looking at pushing back the start of the 2022 school year, there is little evidence that schools will be ready.

“After his shock comments caused widespread confusion just yesterday, the Premier told Parliament today that schools will reopen on 9 February even if students are not vaccinated,” Mr Willie said.

“Yet, in the same sitting, the Education Minister Sarah Courtney again refused to make any kind of commitment to releasing the report of an audit into ventilation and other necessary school upgrades.

“Other than saying air purifiers are on order, Ms Courtney has again failed to outline what is actually being done to address the possibility of a COVID outbreak once Tasmania’s borders are reopened.

“After having 18 months to get our schools ready, Ms Courtney has done little more than announce a two-month inspection to see if windows open or, as she put it, “operate as they are intended,” while coldly dismissing legitimate issues raised by Labor.

“Proper ventilation, purifiers and other hygiene measures reduce the risk of COVID spreading in schools – that’s why other states have been quick to install purifiers and fix ventilation issues – but we still don’t know if they will arrive in time for the new school year.

“Parents, students, teachers and other staff deserve to know that all possible measures will be taken to keep people safe in our schools once COVID re-enters Tasmania.”

Josh Willie MLC

Shadow Education Minister

/Public Release. View in full here.