Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he's "sorry" for the fallout over a Facebook post that shamed a Tasmanian school's attempt to rename its Christmas event.
Mr Rockliff incorrectly claimed all references to Christmas were being removed, attracting social media vitriol against the school and its acting principal.
Mr Rockliff says it was not his "intention to have an outcome such as this", but says he stands by his expectations.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has apologised "for the effect" of a Facebook post in which he incorrectly claimed all references to Christmas were being removed from a school's end-of-year celebrations.
Trevallyn Primary School became embroiled in a social media firestorm last month, following a move to rename its end-of-year event from "Christmas on the Hill" to "End of Year Extravaganza".
Mr Rockliff took to Facebook on October 14, to say he was aware of "efforts made to remove all references to Christmas in end-of-year school celebrations".
He had since refused to apologise, saying he had a right to express the view that Christmas was an important part of our way of life.
While his post did not identify the school involved, it and the acting principal were identified in the comments, and in media reports.
At a media conference today, Mr Rockliff was asked again about the saga, following Australian Education Union (AEU) members from Trevallyn Primary School passing a no confidence motion in him.
"What was a very simple constituent concern.. I made my expectations clear to the secretary of the department and I've made two very measured public statements of which I have not mentioned the school or indeed any individuals at all.
"Now, there's been a lot of discussion and… I'm sorry for the outcome that it has created, and it was never my intention to have an outcome such as this. So I'm sorry for the effect on individuals, teachers and schools — that was never my intention.
"But I stand by my expectations and my expectations are very clear, they have been very clear, and I am remaining true to those expectations but also feel for the people that have been involved the local school the local teachers as well.
"There is no place in our community for vitriol, for personal attacks in any setting including social media so I'm very sorry for that. I wish that we have a very measured discussion that's all, what I've always wanted, in setting those very clear expectations."
The union has been contacted for comment.
Jeremy Rockliff has apologised for his remarks, saying: "it was never my intention to have an outcome such as this, so I'm sorry for the effect". ( ABC News )
Following the premier's post, Trevallyn Primary School was forced to call security due to online abuse.
The acting principal also took leave.
The AEU had called for an apology, calling the post "reprehensible" and calling the impact "significant".
It had barred all politicians from end-of-year events at schools until the premier offered an apology.
"Parents and educators across the state are aghast that Premier Rockliff has not only refused to apologise for his action but has doubled down," the union's Tasmanian president David Genford said.
The Tasmanian Principals Association also said it was "outraged" by the premier's actions.
Mr Rockliff's apology did not acknowledge that he had falsely claimed all references to Christmas were being removed from schools.
Correspondence tabled in parliament revealed Education Department secretary Ginna Webster wrote to the premier on the day of his post, informing him that Christmas remained an important part of Trevallyn Primary School's event.
"Rather than remove Christmas, the school is seeking to balance longstanding traditions with an inclusive approach that enables all students and families to participate in a way that is respectful of their individual beliefs and circumstances," Ms Webster wrote.
Mr Rockliff has said he did not receive this letter until the day after, but that it was clear changes were being made.
His original post on Facebook received more than 2,000 comments, generally supportive of his stance.
Multiple Liberal MPs posted to Facebook in support of the premier, reiterating the importance of Christmas.
