1128 Signatures Gathered Within Weeks

The Tasmanian Greens today tabled in Parliament a petition containing 1128 signatures calling on the Premier and Education Minister David Bartlett to reverse his mean-spirited and illogical decision to close down Launceston’s highly successful A-Team, which provides specialised educational support services for children living with Aspergers (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MP, said that in August this year he called on David Bartlett to work together with all parties to try and seek an apolitical solution to the issue, but the Premier refused and has since refused to listen to the concerns of parents, teachers, students, and support workers, who all want the A-Team to remain open. [1]

Mr Booth also congratulated everyone involved in gathering signatures for the petition, which was only launched last month but which attracted more than 1100 signatures in that short time, the bulk of which are from people living in and around Launceston.

“I am astounded with the speed at which these signatures have been collected. There is no doubt that many people in Launceston are very unhappy about the decision to axe the A-Team, and I couldn’t help noticing that a number of people associated with Child Protection North have also signed this petition,” said Mr Booth.

“David Bartlett says the A-Team will not be continued because it was a pilot program only, but why have a pilot program if you’re going to disregard its huge success, and axe it?”

“Axing a successful program is not clever or kind, it is stupid and mean.”

“David Bartlett must acknowledge the hurt and worry that his mean-spirited decision has caused everyone associated with the A-Team, and reverse this illogical move to close down a highly successful program,” said Mr Booth.

Reference:

[1] “Premier, will you today commit to work with the Greens – and the Liberals, I am sure – in a tripartisan manner, to put politics aside and come up with a funding solution that sees the A-Team program continue so that we give a quality of opportunity to kids with Asperger’s in being able to gain the education they so desperately want and need?”

[Parliamentary Hansard, Question from Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MP, to Premier David Bartlett, 26 August 2009,
http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/
HansardHouse/isysquery/121
e6601-bb49-4cb8-9d2f-751
ad44b7e42/5/doc/#term0_1 ]

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Kim Booth MP Greens Member for Bass