Politicians have been told to stay away from public schools after a premier made "grubby and ill-informed" comments over the renaming of a Christmas event.
Tasmanian Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been under fire since October 14 when he posted online about efforts to "remove all references to Christmas in end-of-year celebrations" at a school.
He called on the education department to step in and has since doubled down on his defence of traditional Christmas values.
It has sparked debate, with Mr Rockliff accused of posting without full context after it came to light the school in question had renamed one of its many Christmas events to be more inclusive.
The school renamed its Christmas on the Hill event to End of Year Extravaganza!
The Australian Education Union and Mr Rockliff's political opposition have called on him to apologise, saying the comments have caused distress.
The union has passed a motion calling for a ban on politicians attending public schools in term four unless Mr Rockliff says sorry for his "ongoing public attacks".
"Parents and educators across the state are aghast that Premier Rockliff ... has doubled down on the public bullying of a dedicated northern Tasmanian school community," union branch president David Genford said on Friday.
"The school community in question simply decided to change the name of its end-of-year event.
"Such grubby politics and dangerous public actions must be condemned."
Mr Genford accused Mr Rockliff of being ill-informed and leaking details about the school and its principal to a media outlet.
Mr Rockliff says the details of the name change came to the media outlet via a constituent.
However, it is unclear if the union's wishes will be heeded, with Treasurer Eric Abetz telling reporters that parliamentary members will be at schools as various end-of-year functions approach.
"In relation to the situation at a particular school, the premier made a comment which has resonated and I would say that reflects the status quo in the community," he said.
Mr Abetz and other state Liberals have backed Mr Rockliff's stance with related social media posts.
"I expressed a view, an opinion, set my expectations," Mr Rockliff said on Thursday.
"I value our schools and the people who work in our schools and I encourage young people to express ideas.
"Everyone has got the right to have an opinion. I’m entitled to have an opinion. I’ve condemned any adverse behaviour towards others."
Labor leader Josh Willie, a former teacher, said Mr Rockliff needed to hold himself to a higher standard.
"I back our educators wholeheartedly in the stand they’re taking. They deserve a government that has their back, not one that puts a target on it," he said.
"The premier has tripled down on his conduct and his Liberal colleagues have joined the pile-on.
"The fix is simple: apologise, visit the school and support the staff and students."
