The Liberal Government is doing more to support Teacher Assistants and recognise the valuable role they play in our schools than Labor ever did.
In this Budget, we are providing an extra $4.4 million over four years to provide an additional week of employment per year for each Teacher Assistant.
In regard to Labor's claims about healthcare services, under the previous Labor government, Teacher Assistants have provided such aid in certain circumstances for no extra pay.
Now, the Liberal Government is introducing a program of providing appropriate training, recognising that training and paying an allowance accordingly, for the first time.
This is a voluntary program; Teacher Assistants will not be required to participate.
Labor was happy for Teacher Assistants to provide these healthcare services for free, and now they shamefully criticise us for providing appropriate recognition and remuneration.
The Shadow Minister, Michelle O'Byrne, has egg on her face and should apologise for the failure of the previous Labor-Green government, of which she was a Cabinet Minister, to support Teacher Assistants and not pay them at all for these duties.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education and Training