School Associations will be disadvantaged by Education changes

 School Associations must be able to remain incorporated bodies
 Government’s Education Act changes sneaky in taking away independence, assets
 Ability to fundraise and hold property under question
The Hodgman Liberal Government’s new Education Act this week contains a sneaky and underhanded assault on the independence and finances of the state’s School Associations.
Shadow Education Minister Michelle O’Byrne said the Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations had raised serious concerns with the Hodgman Government over changes which remove its member’s independence, but those concerns had been ignored.
“Jeremy Rockliff’s changes to the Act target School Associations by removing their right to operate as incorporated bodies and that will seriously hamper their ability to fundraise and take away their very important need to remain autonomous,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“In making School Associations a body corporate under the department, the government is seeking to take their assets by stealth.
“Under the changes the Education Department will assume ownership of any property or assets held by school associations, including school farms.
“Further, they will be forbidden from purchasing property or other assets valued at more than $5,000 without the approval of the Department Secretary.
“That is a significant burden on their ability to fundraise and hold assets for the benefit of their schools.
“There will be no checks and balances on the Minister’s ability to dissolve a School Association on a whim if they speak out against the decisions of the government.
“Mr Rockliff needs to explain why he is determined to target the powers and the independence – both financial and otherwise – of our School Associations and why he has ignored their concerns.
“He must provide an explanation around why he is taking away autonomy and independence and placing the powers that belong with School Associations back within government.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP Shadow Education Minister