Vital community centres overlooked in government’s COVID restart plan

Tasmanian Labor
  • Online access centres have no PPE, no guidelines
  • Government must support safe reopening
  • The state government has overlooked a vital community support system in its plans to restart the Tasmanian economy.

    Labor Member for Lyons Jen Butler said Online Access Centres around the state are in the dark regarding how and when they should reopen.

    “Online Access Centres provide digital access, training and assistance to various communities across the State. They also provide assistance with TAFE courses.

    “The network of 18 centres perform a vital support service and are highly valued in their local communities.

    “Yet they’ve not been provided with information from the government about safe reopening as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

    “They do not have access to reliable supplies PPE or hand sanitiser, and have not been provided with safety guidelines.”

    Ms Butler said she had written to Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff seeking clarification of plans to reopen Tasmania’s network of Online Access Centres.

    “The OAC network is keen to re-open, they want to be part of helping communities find a pathway out of the COVID-19 crisis.

    “But they want guidance from the government to ensure they do everything necessary to keep staff, volunteers and community members safe.

    “These centres are an important part of the communities in which they operate. They need to be supported to reopen safely, and can’t be left to ‘wing it’.”

    Jen Butler

    Labor Member for Lyons

    /Public Release. View in full here.