[Greens-Media] Iemma govt should use funding to protect Newington teachers

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 23 May 2006

Iemma govt should use funding to protect Newington teachers

Greens MP and education spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the NSW
government should withhold funding to Newington College until it agrees
to not use WorkChoices as a tool to force 40 senior teachers to reapply
for their jobs under new conditions.

"The NSW government has badged itself as taking on the job of
fighting WorkChoices. Threatening to state funding to this elite private
school is a simple way of stopping the spread of WorkChoices through the
non-government school sector," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The elite Newington College and Prep School received almost $1.3
million worth of funding last year from the NSW government. 

"It is unacceptable for the NSW government to keep funding a school
that is so blatantly using WorkChoices to erode working conditions for
its teachers.

"The NSW government supplies more than 30% of the $2.3 billion of
annual
federal and state funding to private schools. 

"This is a big carrot that the Iemma government should not be afraid
to use to shield NSW workers from the impact of WorkChoices laws," Ms
Rhiannon said. 

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568



Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au