[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Premier Ignores Success of A-Team Program_K Booth MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PREMIER TURNS HIS BACK ON SUCCESSFUL A-TEAM PILOT PROGRAM

Kim Booth MP
Greens Member for Bass

Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens were today bitterly disappointed that Education
Minister and Premier David Bartlett ignored their request for all three
political Parties to work together to find a way to continue the
successful Launceston-based A-Team pilot program for children with
Asperger's Syndrome.

Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MP, said the A-Team pilot program has
led to radical improvements in educational outcomes for its students on
a shoe-string budget, but despite these achievements it appears that
David Bartlett is intending to cut funding and wind-up the program.

Mr Booth also said that the quiet location of the off-campus A-Team
program is directly linked to the successful outcomes for the children,
and demonstrates how children with Asperger's can experience unnecessary
difficulties when faced with crowds, bells, PA announcements and all the
noise of a standard school environment.

"The Greens today proposed to work constructively with the two other
Parties to find a funding solution that would ensure the continuation of
the proven and successful A-Team pilot program for children with
Asperger's Syndrome, and I again call on Premier Bartlett to reconsider
this matter," said Mr Booth.

"What is the point of having a pilot program if you axe it when it
succeeds?"

"The A-Team pilot program has achieved amazing results on a tiny budget,
and it appears that Mr Bartlett doesn't realise the significance of the
giant steps being taken by A-Team participants."

"The Greens are calling on the Premier to reverse the decision to cut
the successful A-Team program, and to in fact work cooperatively towards
extending the A-Team program across Tasmania so that the triumphs and
successes experienced by the Launceston-based parents and students can
be felt statewide," said Mr Booth.




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