Statement from Martin Hamilton Smith

CAUGHT AND CLEAN BOWLED – LOMAX-SMITH OUT

Revelations today that Premier Mike Rann has again over-ruled his Education Minister means it’s time she was dumped from Cabinet.

Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith made the call after the Premier’s announcement the government’s attempt to slip in a tax on schools had been exposed and reversed.

“Jane Lomax-Smith told parliament just last week that the decision to impose a WorkCover levy on schools was a “savings target” that would be “re-directed into education,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“She also claimed the levy was part of a massive reform agenda in education,” he said.
“Poor old Jane – she’s out their defending her way of running education and then the Premier jumps over her and says they got it wrong.
“They must be getting sick of her by now – if it’s not a personal exemption on parklands policy, it’s a stuff up in education.
“It’s time for the Minister to shuffle off to the backbench.”
Mr Hamilton-Smith said the back flip was another sign the budget strategy was unravelling at a rate of knots.
“Their wages strategy is in chaos with doctors, dentists and nurses and others in the middle of industrial action,” he said.
“Now the education strategy is in tatters and the budget is barely a few weeks old.
“It’s an embarrassment for Treasurer Foley, Premier Rann and the now wounded Jane Lomax-Smith.”

Sounds About Right.