Education Minister Roger Jaensch should not have to be told to be open and transparent with Tasmanians.
During Budget Estimates today, Minister Jaensch refused to answer how many state education department staff are being investigated for child abuse or inappropriate conduct.
He further refused to provide global figures on these investigations.
It was only when he was directed by the chair of the committee that he finally came clean, noting that 41 people were being investigated under ED 4 and ED 5.
This deliberate attempt to hide data is deeply concerning.
Transparency must be a priority if we are to keep children and school communities safe.
It has become a signature move of this minority Liberal Government to keep Tasmanians in the dark.
This lack of openness and transparency is the reason why two of its members recently quit the party.
Withholding information of such a serious nature is not in the public interest and the Minister should improve how he communicates in the future.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years
