Jo Palmer should be in the same boat as Marnus Labuschagne.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Login or signup to continue reading

The Aussie cricketer is under a cloud because bad form catches up with you.

We can't say the same for a minister in Tasmania.

Here, as long as you're not caught lying in Parliament or guilty of a monumental stuff-up, you're safe.

But just as the fans would have little confidence in Marnus, our education minister is inspiring none.

In the past week, crossing her desk was an attack on our favourite sport.

As we first reported, Ms Palmer's department told public schools that cricket pitches are now off limits.

It left our readers furious.

But it's the minister's response that demands scrutiny.

Five hours after we asked, she said: "The directive issued to principals by the department earlier this week contained insufficient detail. An update has since been issued."

Later, on her social media page, she went for a different version.

"I have seen reports claiming that cricket is banned on Tasmanian public school cricket pitches," Ms Palmer said. "That isn't quite right."

Implicit in her words is that our reporting was wrong.

The initial directive told principals to "make all concrete pitches out of bounds for recreational use effective immediately".........

© The Examiner