The Rockliff Liberal Government continues to deliver strategic education reform for Tasmanian learners and school communities, with the 2023-24 State Budget providing $8.9 billion over the Forward Estimates for education.
Education, Children and Youth Minister Roger Jaensch said since 2014, the Government has prioritised investment in education from the early years through to Year 12.
"We know education is the single most powerful driver for improving economic and social outcomes in Tasmania, including health, life expectancy, happiness and productivity," Minister Jaensch said.
The 2023-24 Budget addresses agreed priorities from the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan as well as delivering on the 2023 Teacher Wage Agreement, through a $79 million investment in our education workforce.
"Our Government has and will continue to listen closely to the needs of educators and their views on in-class support and how to free-up our teachers so they have more time to teach," Minister Jaensch.
"We have a strong track record of tackling the major education issues Tasmania has faced for far too long."
Through the 2023-24 State Budget the Government is continuing its investment in major education reforms which support our learners and our school communities, including:
- $148.32 million in 2023 to support students with disability (an increase of $11 million from 2022),
- $19.6 million for Education Support Specialists;
- $24 million to support students impacted by Trauma; and
- $6.2 million for increased access to School Health Nurses.
The Government is also continuing to invest in education infrastructure across Tasmania, with a capital works program of nearly $255 million over the forward estimates, including $105.8 million in 2023–24.
"By contrast, Opposition leader Rebecca White's 'Right Priorities' pamphlet's only mention of education is a cost they want to cut, not as an investment they want to make in students.
"The Opposition's promise to extend after hours school care in 10 locations is a fine idea, but after-hours school care is provided by private operators, supported by federal subsidies, so it's not theirs to extend.
"Ms White has shown how out of touch her party is by proposing ideas that the Rockliff Liberal Government has already implemented in our schools, including support for families with the cost of excursions and allowing parents to pay fees and uniform quarterly and by direct debit.
"In fact, our Government changed the eligibility criteria for the Student Assistance Scheme to be based on the Centrelink Health Care Card or equivalent, meaning about 25,000 school students and their families already receive support for school fees and levies.
"The fact the Opposition doesn't know these initiatives are already happening is alarming."
