Meredith Burgmann accepts the biggest petition she's ever received.

15,000 reasons to oppose restructure

By Kerri Carr

Federation has presented more than 15,000 signatures opposing the proposed restructure of the Department of Education.

Labor Party MLC and NSW Legislative Council President Dr Meredith Burgmann accepted the petition and said it was the "biggest petition" she'd ever received.

The petition calls on the Government to abandon its current restructuring plans, ensure there was no net loss of jobs in DET and ensure that educational need, not cost cutting, drives any restructure.

Ms Burgmann said she would arrange for the petition to be presented to the House in the first week of the next sitting.

She said the Socialist Left's position on the restructure proposal was to oppose any loss of jobs and that was her position.

Federation Senior Vice President Angelo Gavrielatos presented the petition to Ms Burgmann.

"Thousands of Federation members and community members have demonstrated their opposition to the proposal by signing a petition condemning the restructure. Unlike the Government, the Federation values the vital role and work of DET teaching service consultants and officers in both schools and TAFE," Mr Gavrielatos said.

Parents march against restructure

Teachers and students mobilise for TAFE

For further information

August 2003 contents