The Australian Education Union has passed a motion of no confidence in Education Minister Jo Palmer over repeated failures to provide safe working and learning conditions in Tasmanian schools – a situation set to worsen with nothing in today’s State Budget to address serious safety concerns. 

“Educators have lost confidence in a Minister who ignores the growing crisis in our schools,” AEU Tasmania President David Genford said. 

“Tasmania is getting more federal funding for education, which means the Government should be spending that extra money in schools – but we have no confidence that this Minister will direct that funding to schools, where it’s desperately needed, and not divert it into her own pet projects.” 

“Minister Palmer has not acted to stop violence in schools or make workloads safe. Teachers and support staff are burning out, leaving the profession, and saying that the system is deeply broken – and this Budget shows the Minister is asleep at the wheel, squandering what should be a defining moment for public education in Tasmania.” 

“Tasmanians deserve an Education Minister who cares about what’s going on in her portfolio. We have tried to get through to Minister Palmer, but she has proven she is not up to the job,” Mr Genford said. 

Mr Genford said the Budget delivers no plan to fix crushing workloads, no action on escalating violence in schools, and no commitment to pay educators fairly. 

“This Budget offers nothing for the people keeping our schools running,” Mr Genford said. “What’s even more concerning is that the Government indicated they would public educators today asking them to identify potential areas for cuts.” 

The Government’s forthcoming email raises serious concerns that there will be cuts to education in next year’s Budget, which should certainly not be the case given historic federal funding for education. 

“Teachers and support staff don’t need the Government asking them to find ways to cut more corners – they need support to do their jobs safely and effectively,” Mr Genford said. 

“Classrooms are already running on empty. Good will from educators is the only thing propping our education system up. Any further cuts will hit students directly.” 

“Educators are frustrated and angry because we show up every day to do our best for students, while the Government treats our efforts and concerns with contempt. Our students deserve better. They deserve investment, leadership, and a Government that believes in public education.” 

The AEU is calling on the Government to rule out future cuts to education and deliver a real plan to retain and support Tasmanian educators.