[Greens-Media] NSW needs a full time education minister

[John Kaye]

NSW needs a full time education minister

Media Release: 17 August 2008

The failure of Premier Morris Iemma to ensure that NSW has a minister who will focus on the state's public school system has resulted in the industrial action scheduled for 2 September, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "Teachers have made a watertight case against the Iemma government's changes to the staff transfer system but there is no one to listen to them.

"Acting Education Minister John Hatzistergos has shown little interest in his temporary portfolio.

"The long-awaited resolution of the future of the stood-aside John Della Bosca is now weeks overdue with no sign of an end in sight.

"It is time for Premier Iemma to ensure that there is an education minister who can provide leadership to the department.

"Changes to staff transfers will inevitably lead to classes in rural and hard-to-staff schools without qualified teachers.

"If Department Director-General Michael Coutts-Trotter wanted to contribute to the future of public eduction, he would be working with his colleagues in other states to increase the number of teachers being trained at Australian universities.

"He would also be standing up to Treasurer Michael Costa and insisting on  salary increases to attract and maintain highly qualified individuals.

"Changes to the transfer system are a distraction from the main challenges facing the state's 2,300 public schools.

"Teachers are to be congratulated for taking industrial action.

"While no one, least of all teachers, likes disruptions to education, the Iemma government's intransigence has made the 2 September stop-work meeting essential to protect disadvantaged and rural and remote schools. 
 
"The ball is now in Premier Iemma's court," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455