Peter Gutwein should take responsibility for the resignation of Sarah Courtney which has created an even bigger mess than her absence over the past three weeks.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the Premier's decision to allow Ms Courtney to travel to France on holidays in the lead up to school returning in the midst of COVID was woefully misguided and irresponsible - and so was his refusal to recall her to do her job.
"Mr Gutwein refused to recall Sarah Courtney when serious questions were being asked about the preparedness of schools to deal with COVID in the lead up to the most disruptive start to a new school year in living memory," Ms White said.
"And now we are left with a situation where Tasmanian students and teachers do not have an Education Minister.
"Sarah Courtney's resignation has created an even bigger mess where the government is failing to support our students and our teachers at such a crucial time.
"We had consistently called on Sarah Courtney to return from Europe to do her job.
"We had consistently called on the Premier to recall Ms Courtney to return to do her job.
"Instead she has left a bigger mess with no Minister responsible for her portfolios which also includes responsibility for children in the middle of a Commission of Inquiry, Minister for Disability when many are incredibly concerned about COVID and as Minister for Tourism and Hospitality as businesses and workers suffer the impact of the government opening the border to COVID.
"Nobody begrudges someone taking a holiday but there can be no doubt Ms Courtney's decision today has everything to do with the criticisms she rightfully faced about her unacceptable absence as school returned and also for the Premier's refusal to call her back."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
