The Rockliff-Ferguson Government's important announcement to install Safeguarding Officers in every school to provide protection to students has been revealed as yet another matter of spin over substance.
Estimates Hearings today have confirmed that although Jeremy Rockliff made a significant announcement around the officers, there is no additional money in his government's budget to fund them.
All Tasmanians agree that protecting our children has to be the highest priority but the fact is this government has made an art out of making announcements, only to think about the details later.
These officers are very important and are a key response to recommendations of the Inquiry into the Education Department's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that every school principal be required to appoint a Student Safeguarding Officer.
But when you look at the budget, it's clear there is no new money.
The funding comes out of the existing Education Department budget - out of schools and out of classrooms.
It means the government is effectively asking teachers to do more with the same funding at a time when they are under increasing pressure.
It's unacceptable that this government continues to chase headlines instead of results.
Despite this being the hallmark of a major announcement Premier Rockliff made less than two weeks ago and saying it is a big part of what he wants to achieve, there's not a single cent to achieve it.
Josh Willie
Shadow Minister for Education
