The Rockliff Government has sat on a critical review into how students with disabilities are supported in schools since May because it said it was developing a response.

But when Minister for Education, Children and Youth Roger Jaensch released the KPMG review of the Educational Adjustments Funding Model last week, he failed to outline a plan to address the recommendations or provide any additional funding. 

The Rockliff Liberal Government has had six months to develop a comprehensive response to the KPMG review and has done nothing but kick the can down the road and avoid accountability. 

The recommendations show awareness and understanding of disability and its impact on student learning is varied in many schools, demonstrating the Rockliff Government needs to do more to support schools across a range of areas whether that be leadership and workforce capability, engagement, communication, processes and transitional funding.

Today, I was joined by Sharon O’Beirne, whose son had a terrible experience transitioning from Year 10 into Year 11, an area highlighted in the report, which led to him being given an exemption to withdraw from education.

This is a tragic experience that is far too common in Tasmania’s education system and highlights there is still a long way to go with the implementation of the new funding model for students with disability.

The Australian Education Union has also expressed disappointment that adequacy of funding was out of scope of the review. 

Every day Minister Jaensch fails to act, students with disability are being left behind at school.

After 10 years of a Liberal Government, Tasmania’s education outcomes are among the worst in the nation. 

The Rockliff Government must ensure that students with disability are getting the support they need to engage with learning.

Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years