Labor moves for lasting change in education

Labor today has made a genuine offer of bipartisanship to the Liberal Government to achieve lasting change in our education system.

The centrepiece of Labor’s reply to the 2014-15 Budget is a bold proposal to establish an expert policy body spearheaded by the University of Tasmania and including teachers, industry and other stakeholders, to be supported by all sides of politics.

Labor Leader Bryan Green said education was too important to be tangled up in politics and short term electoral cycles.

“When it comes to lasting reform in our Education system, no one group, sector or political party is in the sole possession of ultimate wisdom,” Mr Green said.

“It is clear from the high performing systems around the globe that a shared and dedicated commitment to improve education outcomes is required to achieve real and lasting change.

“The University of Tasmania should be embedded in the education system in Tasmania from start to finish.”

Mr Green said the policy body would be responsible for establishing an integrated and comprehensive educational model starting from Early Childhood and ending with tertiary education or trades training for all Tasmanians.

“Tasmania has many natural advantages in Agriculture, Aquaculture and Tourism and growing strengths in Information Technology and the Creative Industries,” Mr Green said.

“An evidence based approach will enable us to tailor our education and training systems to drive our economic competitiveness within these vital sectors.”

Labor Shadow Education Minister Michelle O’Byrne said that teachers would have a central role in any discussion about education reform.

“The more teachers are involved in shaping the reforms the greater likelihood of making the improvements stick,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“However, teachers need allies. They need the support of political leaders, community leaders, business and parents. Education reform is a shared responsibility.

“And that is what Labor is proposing today – a mechanism to remove politics from education and deliver lasting reform based on evidence and consensus.”

Mr Green said Labor had consulted widely with stakeholders on its proposal and had received significant support.

Mr Green has written to the Premier today to seek meetings to discuss Labor’s proposal.
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader Michelle O’Byrne MP Shadow Education Minister