michaelferguson.com

By Amanda Ripley

For years, the secrets to great teaching have seemed more like alchemy than science, a mix of motivational mumbo jumbo and misty-eyed tales of inspiration and dedication. But for more than a decade, one organization has been tracking hundreds of thousands of kids, and looking at why some teachers can move them three grade levels ahead in a year and others can’t. Now, as the Obama administration offers states more than $4 billion to identify and cultivate effective teachers, Teach for America is ready to release its data. …

For Australia Day

Australians are a funny lot, you’ll often hear one curse,
How things have started badly, and they’ll probably get worse,
The weathers dry, the sun’s so hot it’s stolen all the water,
The Government has never done the things we think they oughta’. …

Today in a major speech to the Launceston business community I again emphasised that a Hodgman Liberal Government will support the NBN roll-out in Tasmania. …

Tasmanian roads are the most deadly in Australia. Think about that for a moment: “The most deadly roads in Australia”. The national road fatality rate for 2008 was 6.85 deaths per 100,000 people. In Tasmania last year the rate was 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s almost double. …

The Royal Flying Doctor Service base at Launceston Airport is a vital part of the northern Tasmanian community and health system and must not be downgraded or moved south. In 2007-08, the Flying Doctors helped 1,654 patients. But last September we discovered that the Bartlett Labor Government had the highly-respected RFDS in its sights – considering abolition of the fixed wing service and/or relocating the air retrieval base to Hobart. …

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Amid the chaos and heartache enveloping the capital came a rare, but wondrous, moment of joy on Friday. …

I have decided to add my mate Tony Abbott’s recent speech outlining his passion for pursuing environment policy as a mainstream agenda item for two reasons.  1- Because the thoughts and concerns Tony outlines are so good and every thinking voter deserves to hear them; 2- Because it’s way past time for people to realise that the political left doesn’t own the environment, rather the historical record shows that the Liberal tradition has shown greater leadership in practically protecting our living environment while also protecting our economy and way of life.  Please take the time to read on… …

Last night’s television news brought stories like any other normal evening – including one about a quake in a distant, small nation – nowhere near Tasmania.  At that time, while the images were disturbing, there was not the indication that the human tragedy to later emerge would be as shocking and on such a massive scale. …

Please click on the links to open the full policy statement on the Liberal website http://tasliberal.com.au/policy

Drive our Economy Forward
Backing Business to Invest in Renewable Energy
Four-Lane Midland Highway
Getting Better Returns from Government Businesses
Making Tasmania a Magnet
Protecting and Creating Jobs in our Tourism Industry
Statewide Residential Planning Code
Tasmania’s World Class Tarkine – Growing our Tourism Potential
Fixing Tasmania’s Critical Infrastructure
Farming for the Future
Urgent repairs to the Midland Highway
Building Better Regional Roads
Abolishing Land Tax
Putting Tasmanian Products on the World Stage
Deliver Accountable Government
A New Culture of Accountability and Transparency
Fixed Terms
Greater Budget Honesty
Achieve Better Health Results
Smarter Health Care for the North
A New Generation Royal Hobart Hospital
At-Risk Children
Better Quality of Life for Tasmanians with Disabilities
A Fairer Tasmania
The Sooner the Better: No more Endless Waiting Lists
Upgrading the Mersey
Equity for North-West Cancer Patients
Exciting new health services for Tasmanians with the Royal Flying Doctors
More step down beds for the Huon
Raise Education Standards
Free Bus Travel for Students
Pathway Planning
Supporting students with Autism
A better deal for Teacher Aides and Support Staff
Better retention and results – ending the experimentation with our education system
Protect our lifestyle & strengthen our community
Continuing to make our Roads Safer
Double Demerits
Forest Protests
Linking Responsibility – At School and on the Road
Mandatory Employment Screening For All People Working with Children
Parole Board
Police Highway Traffic Patrols and High Visibility Police Vehicles
Police Workers Compensation
Road Safety Authority
Sentencing Advisory Council
Sex Offender Programs
Tougher Sentences for Sex Crimes
Vehicle Impoundment Program
Saving lives – providing specialist smoke alarms
Light Rail in Hobart

Fixing Labor’s Water and Sewerage Debacle
Using social media to reduce street violence
Supporting our Surf Life Savers
Strengthening Penalties for Arson
A Plastic Shopping Bag Free Tasmania
A New ‘Chance’ for young people in Glenorchy
Lights for King George V Oval, Glenorchy
Tackling Tamar Silt
Protecting Launceston from Flood
Devonport Aquatic Centre
Recognising and supporting grandparent carers