The Tasmanian Greens today pledged to fight for a critical Tasmanian agricultural science education program.
Greens Member for Braddon, Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP said the plan to cut funding to the Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE) was a blow for Tasmania’s agricultural sector.
“Everything that we can do to help young people find rewarding careers in agriculture and primary industries careers is money well spent,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Modern agriculture is a highly technical and competitive industry, and Tasmania cannot afford to have the productivity of our industry held back by skills shortages.”
“With Braddon experiencing one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the country, we should be supporting and not cutting funding for careers in agricultural science.”
“It is not by chance that North-West students have been winning major national awards in agricultural science,” said Mr O’Halloran.
“UTas has done a fantastic job delivering PICSE and the greens will fight to ensure it continues.”
“I am calling on the labor and Liberal Braddon representatives to join with the Greens and fight to save this program.”
“Schools are already planning for this year’s program, they are working with community mentors and are shattered by the news that this program will no longer be supported.”
Greens Member for Braddon, Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran
