Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has apologised after his office mistakenly left King Island off the map of Tasmania while announcing further funding for the state’s public schools.
In a post to his Facebook page, Jason Clare posted an image of Tasmania to promote the Federal Government’s new commitment.
Social media users were quick to point out that, despite Flinders Island being included, the map was missing King Island.
“King Island isn’t part of Tasmania now?! Missing from the map,” one social media user commented.
“King Island not only loses a cheese factory but it no longer exists,” said another.
A Twitter user also joked at the placement of the map pins, with schools being pinned in Tasmania’s uninhabited remote south-west.
“Very exciting that Melaleuca finally gets the public schooling that it deserves.”
In a statement to Pulse, Minister Clare said he “made a blue” and had updated the post on Facebook.
“My social post about today’s school funding announcement was missing a couple of important things.”
“Whether you live on King Island, Flinders Island or in the heart of Hobart, every public school will be fully and fairly funded.”
Under the agreement signed between the state and federal governments today, funding for all public schools in Tasmania will increase to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS)
The Commonwealth will increase its share of funding from 20% to 22.5% by 2029, while the state government will contribute 77.5%.
The agreement will be followed by a bilateral agreement that will tie funding to reforms aimed at helping students catch up, keep up and finish school.
It includes phonics and numeracy checks in the early years, initiatives to support mental health and initiatives to strengthen teacher and school leader wellbeing.
