David Bartlett has confirmed via Facebook that he has broken his “rock-solid” promise to members of the A-Team Support Group that he would consult them and remain available for personal contact in the event of a breakdown with his department.
The Labor Government has claimed that it will continue the A-Team under a review regime through to June 2010; however it is clear that the Government is starving the program of student places, undermining the role of staff and ultimately planning to terminate the program.
As David Bartlett has refused to respond to letters and phone calls from members of the Support Group, an attempt was made to engage the Premier via Facebook.
We now know that:
- Vacancies will not be filled as it is only for continuing 2009 students; in some recent sessions, only one student has been present.
- There is now no new professional development for school-based teaching staff available.
- The review has apparently commenced and excludes the input of the support group in either the design of the review and its conduct.
- Even more embarrassingly for the Premier, is that although the review has apparently commenced, the department has not even consulted with Autism Tasmania regarding timeline, process and parameters etc.
- It is also now clear that the department, through Learning Services North, has taken direction from the caretaker government to have nothing further to do with the support group or parents.
In a letter sent to the A-Team support group in February, the General Manager of Learning Services North, Liz Banks, confirmed that the Bartlett Government will “transition” students out of the A-Team.
Concerningly, Ms Banks also cancelled a proposed meeting with the A-Team Support Group scheduled for 8th February, without giving any reason why.
It is now abundantly clear that a re-elected Bartlett Government will abolish the A-Team, and worse, they are now not even prepared to talk to affected parents about it.
So much for Mr Bartlett’s claim that he is “listening”.
Furthermore, at a National Disability Forum pre-election debate on Monday, Labor’s nominated representative refused to cooperate with requests to facilitate the promised meetings – saying only that his excellent connections would allow him to contact employees in the department.
In contrast a Hodgman Liberal Government will provide an additional $1.3 million for the A-Team (Autism) model program, which will not only fund the continuation of the program in the North, but will see the program rolled out around the State for a three year trial.
