Education Minister Lauren Moss wound up in quarantine, just after teachers reported stuck interstate

The NT’s Education Minister wound up in quarantine at Howard Springs, just after several Territory teachers reported being stuck in hotspots interstate.

NT EDUCATION Minister Lauren Moss wound up in quarantine at Howard Springs, just after several Territory teachers reported being stuck in hotspots interstate.

Ms Moss, who has since been released from quarantine, posted a photo of herself and her daughter on Facebook at a donga at the Centre for National Resilience.

“Spending some time experiencing the Howard Springs Resort from the inside after being with the family interstate,” the post read.

“While an unexpected ending to our trip, the staff have been absolutely incredible, and people around us are in good spirits, making the most of the time (and warmth). Quality time containing my toddler!” said Ms Moss, who was on personal leave.

A spokeswoman for Ms Moss said was not in a hot spot but was caught up in the state lockdowns.

“All Territorians have been advised to consider their travel in the knowledge that things can change quickly, and in the event of a hotspot declaration, they would be required to quarantine at their own expense upon return to the NT,” she said.

“A hotspot was declared during the Minister’s travel, and she entered quarantine upon return. This hotspot was revoked at midnight last night and she no longer remains in quarantine.

“Minister Lawler was acting for Minister Moss during her leave.”

It comes after about 20 NT teachers were reported stranded in hotspots in New South Wales and Victoria at the start of Term 3. The teachers were from across the Territory, with some now able to return after hotspot declarations were lifted for parts of Victoria.

The NT News understands work is commencing on alternative arrangements for teachers to continue working if required to quarantine.

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Education staff across the NT, particularly in remote communities, have consistently been advised to carefully consider their travel interstate.

Ms Moss, herself, last year encouraged teachers to reconsider travel during the December 2020 school holidays.

“As we saw last school holidays, hotspot declarations can be made very quickly, so I urge teachers considering travelling interstate these school holidays to reconsider,” she told the ABC.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said Ms Moss had a lot to answer for.

“Teachers across the Territory will find the hypocrisy of Education Minister Lauren Moss particularly unfair given the fact that teachers were encouraged not to travel during the school holidays, yet the Minister chose to travel interstate and was caught in a hotspot and missed cabinet because she was sitting in quarantine,” she said.

“It’s also inexcusable that for a number of weeks now Minister Moss has been silent on what action she is taking with regarding to the damning ICAC report into the Milingimbi school – and she has failed to back the dozens of remote schools that continue to sit under a cloud because of her silence.”