[Greens-Media] Bishop's plan to cut teacher salaries must be stopped

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

12.04.07

Bishop's plan to cut teacher salaries must be stopped


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today has called on state and territory
premiers to reject Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop's plan to cut
some teachers' wages in order to impose a so called 'performance' pay
system.

On last night's ABC Lateline programme Ms Bishop said "if you had a
performance pay model that paid some teachers more and other teachers
less, well then it could be accommodated within current funding levels."

"Julie Bishop's plan to cut some teachers' pay is appalling in the
context of widespread community acknowledgement that teachers are not
paid enough.

"The Greens hope to use balance of power in the Senate after the next
federal election to ensure that the Federal Government make a generous
contribution to improving public school teachers pay.

"The next funding agreement between the Commonwealth and the States
should do two things for teachers; boost overall pay and implement
better career progression paths that reward long term commitment to the
profession.

"The Greens want to see leadership from the Federal government in
backing public schools and their teachers. That means bringing new money
to the table to encourage states to boost salaries and resources."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146