Queensland students are the biggest losers in the latest Labor cabinet reshuffle with Education Minister Kate Jones’s attention to be diverted to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
LNP Shadow Minister for Education Tracy Davis said it was disappointing Annastacia Palaszczuk thought education could play second fiddle to the glamorous Games portfolio.
“Our kids deserve a full time Minister who is focussed on ensuring they get the best education,” Ms Davis said.
“This mammoth portfolio was too big for Kate Jones last time and it’s too big for her now.
“The Commonwealth Games is the largest event Queensland will host since the 1988 World Expo and we can’t get that wrong – but it shouldn’t be at the expense of our students’ education.
“Last time Labor’s Kate Jones had this cobbled-together portfolio, it was revealed she spent less than 40 per cent of her time meeting education groups - despite education representing 98 per cent of her budget responsibilities.
“What has changed since Annastasia Palaszczuk stripped Kate Jones of the Commonwealth Games due to the heavy workload 14 months ago?
“The next 12 months are critical for Queensland as we negotiate a new education funding agreement with the Commonwealth Government and we can’t have a distracted Minister.
“Only the LNP will put our students’ education first with a dedicated Minister for Education.”
