New information has provided more proof that Tasmanian students can’t afford the Rockliff minority government’s education cuts.

The Australian Council for Education Research’s TIMSS 2023 report shows Tasmanian education outcomes have fallen to bottom of the class in both Year 4 maths and science results.

While Tasmania’s results have dropped significantly over the past four years, nearly all other states and territories have recorded an uplift.

The news isn’t much better for Tasmania’s Year 8 results, which show we’re behind all other jurisdictions except the Northern Territory in both subjects.

Despite these declining results, the Rockliff minority government has extraordinarily planned to cut more than $80 million from the Education Department over the next four years.

Tasmania’s education outcomes are lagging the nation. Decisions should be based upon securing the best possible outcomes for students, not saving money to pay for ten years of fiscal incompetence and budget mismanagement. 

From the Spirits mess to the budget disaster, on every turn the tired old Rockliff minority government is showing that it’s not up to the job.

Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years