NSW Parliament Condemns Government Over Teachers' Wages

[Elisia Yeo]

Media Release 17/11/99

The NSW Upper House has expressed its support for the teachers' strike tomorrow by passing a motion from The Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon condemning the NSW Government on its handling of teachers' awards.

"The Government has grossly mismanaged the entire issue. There has been a complete lack of consultation over wages and even the smallest courtesies have been overlooked.

"The Labor Party is in power in NSW yet only industrial action will place sufficient pressure on this Government to make it see that there are alternatives to conflict and destruction," said Ms Rhiannon.

In speaking to her motion, Lee Rhiannon congratulated the NSW Teachers Federation on their work and said that tomorrow's strike was an action the NSW Government had brought upon itself.

"This Government is squandering good will on a penny pinching exercise in economic rationalism that puts the financial balance sheet ahead of the future of this State.

"The Greens congratulate teachers and their union for this courageous action. We recognise that it was not taken lightly and that it causes many teachers great pain. 

"But we also understand that the primary commitment of teachers is to their students. While strikes are an instrument of last resort, they are essential if the public education system is not to be destroyed, as it surely will by the current path of this Government." said Ms Rhiannon.

More information: Elisia Yeo (02) 9230 3549 / 0409 787 911.