PLEA FOR PREMIER TO SAVE SUCCESSFUL A-TEAM PROGRAM

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today again called on Premier and Education Minister David Bartlett to prevent the cancellation of Launceston’s successful A-Team program, which provides specialised support services for children living with Aspergers (Autism Spectrum Disorder) in the Launceston area, in the lead-up to tomorrow’s meeting between representatives of Autism Tasmania, A-Team parents, and the Education Department.

Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MP, said that while Premier Bartlett has already indicated that he will close down the A-Team program at the end of this year, he has since discussed the issue with representatives of Autism Tasmania, as well as parents of children who are currently assisted by the A-Team, and the hopes of all involved have been raised by the Premier’s positive comments regarding the A-Team program itself.

Mr Booth also called on the Premier to examine the benefits that would flow from a statewide extension of the A-Team program, using the same model that has been successfully pioneered in Launceston.

“We know the Premier has already stated that this successful program will be cancelled at the end of this year, but we also know that he has since met with parents and representatives from Autism Tasmania and has indicated that he is open to making funding decisions about the program,” said Mr Booth.

“During Estimates Committee hearings this year the Premier very clearly committed his government to providing “all the support that we possibly can for diagnosis and for support and for alternative settings,” and the A-Team program very much falls into the ‘alternative settings’ category.”

“We understand that the Premier has committed to again meet with the parents if they are dissatisfied with the Education Department’s response tomorrow, and we call on him to honour that commitment if required.”

“There is widespread community support in Launceston for the A-Team program – after the Premier stated that funding for the A-Team program would not be extended, the parents and supporters of the A-Team collected 1200 signatures on a supportive petition in only a matter of weeks.”

“All young Tasmanians deserve access to appropriate educational opportunities and we are urging the Premier to do the right thing and change his mind about the future of the A-Team. A decision to extend the A-team program and model would benefit not only those in the program today, but the entire Tasmanian community.”

“The Greens are pleading with Premier and Education Minister Bartlett to prevent the cancellation of Launceston’s successful A-Team program, and to instead investigate the benefits that would flow from a statewide extension of the A-Team program using the model pioneered in Launceston,” said Mr Booth.
Kim Booth MP Greens Member for Bass