[Greens-Media] Bishop's performance pay plan that cuts teacher salaries must be stopped

[Bolwell, Kristian (Sen K. Nettle)]

Bishop's performance pay plan that cuts teacher salaries must be stopped

12.06.07

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today accused Education Minister Julie
Bishop of again trying to cut teacher salaries with her performance pay
proposal.

"Julie Bishops' latest performance pay proposal again does not have a
budgetary allocation associated with it," said Senator Nettle
"Unless you have more money to spend you can not pay some teachers more
without cutting other teachers pay.

"Every class deserves a good teacher. The government should focus on
ensuring that all students receive a quality education rather than
setting up a system to pit teachers against each other and their
students. 

"A proposal to cut some teachers' pay is appalling in the context of
widespread community acknowledgement that teachers are not paid enough.

"The government should be working to boost all teachers pay and
implement better career progression paths that reward long term
commitment to the profession.
"The Greens hope to use balance of power in the Senate after the next
federal election to ensure that the government make a generous
contribution to improving public school teachers pay.

"The Greens want to see leadership from the 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 - Kristian Bolwell 0411 638 320