EDUCATION Minister Nick McKim and the state teachers' union have slammed the Tasmanian Liberals for not supporting the state government's push for the federal government to repeal the Better Schools plan cuts.
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Despite other state Liberal premiers voicing their outrage about the federal government's decision to not reinstate $1.2 billion to the Better Schools budget, Opposition Leader Will Hodgman and education spokesman Michael Ferguson refused to back the minister.
However, Mr Ferguson confirmed yesterday that the Liberals have always supported the original Gonski reforms.
Tasmania should receive $382 million under the plan, with a portion to flow from next year, however, the proceeding years are now uncertain as the federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne seeks to reform the funding model.
Yesterday Mr McKim sought tri- partisan support from the Liberal ministers and Tasmanian branch of the party in preparation for a meeting with his education counterparts and Mr Pyne on Friday.
Mr McKim said it would have made a difference if Mr Hodgman had stood up to Mr Pyne and supported the Tasmanian government because "we've seen Liberal premiers and Liberal education ministers around the country, having a go at Mr Pyne and standing up for schools in their jurisdiction", he said.
Mr Ferguson described Mr McKim's desire for tri-partisan support as a "silly stunt".
He welcomed Mr Pyne's comments on ABC radio yesterday, reconfirming that the state would receive its agreed share of funding before the election over the next four years.
"The Liberals will be working co- operatively with the federal government to deliver the best outcomes for Tasmania," Mr Ferguson said.
Australian Education Union state president Terry Polglase said the education community would be disappointed if the Tasmanian Liberals did not support a united voice going to Canberra.
"We've worked too hard to bring equity to our schools and to see it all blown away by a federal minister who's been in the position for three minutes is just appalling," he said.