Ballina MP Tamara Smith has been appointed the new Greens NSW spokesperson for education and has promised to focus on delivering Gonski funding across the state, as well as concentrating on education for people with disabilities.
The Education portfolio, previously held by the late Dr John Kaye, encompasses schools, skills and TAFE and Early Childhood development.
Ms Smith, a lawyer, also has 21 years experience in teaching across a wide range of educational environments including aboriginal education, distance learning and remote and rural educational settings.
She has also worked in juvenile justice settings and has held a number of positions within the NSW Teachers Federation including; Welfare officer, Country Organiser and member of the Legal Cases Committee. Ms Smith did a law clerkship with Federation Law before she was admitted as a solicitor in the NSW Supreme court.
‘As NSW Greens education spokesperson, I will be focusing on guaranteeing the full six years of Gonski funding in NSW and monitoring how our students with disabilities are educated in this state,’ she said.
‘It will be my aim to ensure that all students in NSW schools have their learning needs met and are respected to think for themselves, to think critically, to reflect and grow to their full potential, and teaching professionals in NSW are supported to deliver quality teaching and learning in an environment of trust and consultation.
‘Affordable, high quality vocational training through TAFE will be high on my list of priorities as will funding for Early Childhood education providers and increased access for all three year olds to take part in Early Childhood education, not just those from a disadvantaged background.
‘During the next six months I will be meeting with stakeholders from across the education sector, including TAFE, skills, public and non-government schools, parents and citizens groups and teachers associations to really get a sense of the priority issues in the sectors.’
Ms Smith will remain the spokesperson for regional development and she is also a member of the Legislative Assembly committee on Investment, Industry and Regional Development.
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