Another Liberal backflip welcomed

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff’s latest backflip on harsh cuts to Tasmania’s eSchool is welcome news for students, parents and teachers.

Shadow Minister Michelle O’Byrne said the backdown follows similar announcements on Online Access Centres and the Big Picture School.

“As predicted, Jeremy Rockliff has completed his hat-trick of education backflips,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“He’s now the Shane Warne of education ministers.

“It is now becoming a habit of this Minister to make harsh decisions to cut education services and then backflip in the face of community outrage. I worry what happens to those services that pass secretly or where those affected have no voice.

“This is good news for those who fought to save the eSchool but it is highly embarrassing for the Minister, who should never have flagged it for savage cuts in the first place.

“The eSchool provides invaluable support for students in the North including many who live with a disability.

“The Government’s backdown is due to a strong community campaign, led by people like Kristen Desmond from the Tasmanian Disability Education Reform Lobby.

“Labor was proud to play a part in reversing the damaging cuts planned for the eSchool.

“This is a great result for the community, even if it took the Liberals too long to wake up to their mistake.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP Deputy Labor Leader Shadow Education Minister