Concerns for the future of North-East sawmill jobs
The Tasmanian Liberals are greatly concerned that at least 120 jobs are at risk in the North East at Gunns’ Scottsdale sawmill.
read moreVale Sue Napier
Statement from the Leader of the Opposition
I was deeply saddened to learn that Sue Napier passed away this morning.
read moreNBN, for the record…
David Bartlett has seen the light. Maybe someone other than him is capable of an original thought!
At Budget Estimates last month, I played a game of cat and mouse with our Premier regarding what I regard as a flawed model to rollout fibre-optic around Tasmania. The Premier’s model which asked required people to read, understand and return documentation (ie “opt-in”) has resulted in less than half of the eligible homes and businesses to get the fibre dropped to their premises, at no cost to themselves.
read moreGood news for Flinders Island
I welcome the announcement from Sharp Airlines that it is taking over Airlines of Tasmania’s routes from 1st September 2010. Sharp’s plans to increase services to and from Flinders Island, and introduce a Melbourne route on Sundays, means the Flinders Island community will be better serviced. It also means more tourists can experience the rugged beauty of the Furneaux Group islands.
read moreTeachers should be able to feel safe in their classrooms
It is a sad indictment on our society that Tasmanian teachers are increasingly being attacked by children as young as seven.
Recent classroom outbursts including a student stabbing a teacher with a pen, a student trying to strangle a teacher and a teacher being punched in the face, are just a few examples of what teachers across the state are telling me about violence in the classroom.
I am not suggesting that the violence problem is out of control, but it’s been simmering for many years because of a lack of clear leadership on the issue.
read moreAuditor-General’s report into science education
As a former science, IT and mathematics teacher, I welcome the release of the Special Report of the Auditor-General into science education in public high schools.
The Auditor-General’s report brings relief with regard to the issues of workforce supply and qualification, but that is where the good news ends.
read moreBudget Estimates: Education wrap-up
Mr FERGUSON – I will be leading the response from the Liberals with regard to Minister Thorp’s Estimates. I would like to say I found the Estimates process at times frustrating and at others rewarding. I want to thank the minister for a robust discussion, her general willingness to be helpful with the answers and for also providing her answers to questions on notice. I understand that there are still a couple more outstanding and I look forward to getting those. I would like to say that, frankly, were it not for a robust discussion and our line of questioning, certainly on my part, there can be no doubt that the quality and quantity of information that was received probably would not have been put on the record. That is why I must say I really did find the Estimates process a valuable exercise.
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