Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff criticised after social post on 'Christmas' event causes school pile-on

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A Tasmanian primary school has been thrust into a social media storm. After the premier criticised a plan to remove the word Christmas from the name of its end of year celebration.  The education department says the proposal was discussed to make the event more inclusive, but no final decision has been made.

Transcript

00:01A Northern Tasmanian primary school suddenly at the center of a social media storm, triggered

00:08by a post from the Premier.

00:10Jeremy Rockliffe wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday night.

00:14It has been brought to my attention that there have been efforts made to remove all references

00:18to Christmas in end of year school celebrations.

00:21Whatever your religion or heritage, Christmas is part of our way of life.

00:25I have requested that the education department step in.

00:28The post didn't identify the school, but comments on it did.

00:33The teachers union condemned the post.

00:36For the school in question, what this has done is put them on the front of a media storm

00:40when they're trying to be more inclusive.

00:43The education department says a recent school association meeting discussed ensuring the

00:47end of year celebration remains welcoming and inclusive for all school community members

00:53and no decision about changes has been made.

00:55It's said students in classes will work with their teacher to choose what Christmas themed

01:00items they will perform at the event.

01:02Santa Claus will also be attending, consistent with previous years.

01:06The President of the Tasmanian Principals Association, Matt Grining, described the Premier's actions

01:12as an overreach.

01:13In a social media post, he said he was outraged the Premier had used his office to weigh in

01:18on a decision that had already been consulted and led by the school's parent committee.

01:23The only reason that Premier Rockcliffe has been doing this is to get clicks, to get political

01:28messaging out there to try and win the political game.

01:31I was expressing a view in a very measured way.

01:34I condemn any attack on any individual or any particular school very clearly.

01:40And that's not what I've done.

01:42The Trevallan Primary School Association committee declined to comment.

01:46I'm sorry.

01:47I'm sorry.

01:49I'm sorry.

01:50I'm sorry.

01:51I'm sorry.

01:52I'm sorry.

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