Thursday 30 April 2020
Hansard of the Legislative Council

COVID-19 - Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize

Mr FINCH to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

The global COVID 19 pandemic has understandably meant the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize winners were not able to travel to the Western Front for Anzac Day.

(1) Will the six winners get to go next year instead?

(2) How has this pandemic changed the prize’s structure?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Rosevears for his question.
(1) and (2)

The Tasmanian Government has postponed the 2019-20 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize trip until April 2021.  It is anticipated that the six winners from 2019-20 will participate and the itinerary will be the same as was planned for 2020.

Due to the ongoing uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the education system, the Government has also made the decision to postpone the opening of the 2020-21 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize.

Alternative options are being developed for consideration so that a Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize competition can be held later this year if it is appropriate to do so.

The final decision on travel for prize winners will be based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officers and other formal advice.

Mr President, this was a very good question and a very good trip.