State Budget to coincide with salaries deadline

By Maree O’Halloran

The State Government has delayed the State Budget until June 22, just days before expiration of the interim salaries award for school and TAFE teachers.

The Budget was originally scheduled for May.

A final decision from the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) about teacher salaries is due before June 30 and the Federation has called for it in advance of the Budget to allow proper arrangements to be made for transparent funding. The delay in the State Budget makes it more likely that a final decision will be brought down before the State Budget. However, it does not change the likelihood that industrial action may be required to secure full funding.

In the wake of the IRC's interim decision and judgment on salaries on December 19, 2003, Federation has called for:

• the State Government to meet Federation's justified claim of 25 per cent over two years
• full funding from Treasury for teacher salary and allowance increases to protect the public education budget.

The State Government continues to ignore Federation letters and representations for full funding. The Treasurer is also deliberately propagating the fear of a "deficit" budget in an attempt to influence any final decision by the IRC and to depress teacher and community expectations regarding salary increases for teachers.

Further, the State Government continues to manipulate in the media the state of NSW's finances in order to dampen teachers' expectations of the substantial salary increase they deserve.

The 2003 State Budget cut funding to public schools and TAFE colleges in real terms while boosting private school funding. This was a policy decision, not an economic imperative. There are a number of areas where government could make savings to divert to public education. For example:

• the school student transport scheme (approximately $300 million of $450 million is spent to transport students past local public schools)
• recurrent funding to private schools ($585 million)
• uncapped interest rate subsidies to private schools (recently exposed as $38 million per annum, and growing)
• payroll exemptions to private schools of $75 million
• responsible use of increased revenue
• the non-means tested back to the school allowance.

The State Government, despite its arguments about the Commonwealth grants shortfall and the potential for a "deficit" budget, has the capacity to pay teachers a 25 per cent salary increase over two years. It chooses not to do so because other policy areas are deemed by government to be of higher priority.

On December 2, 2003 members voted at a Sky Channel meeting to be prepared for a 48-hour stoppage on February 11 and 12. Following the interim decision, Executive postponed the stoppage. It is likely the 48-hour stoppage will be required to secure full funding of the salaries decision.

May Council will consider the date and timing of a Sky Channel stoppage to reinforce to the Government the message about the 48-hour strike.

Maree O'Halloran is the President.

Information for parents about salaries and May 20

Interim increases still sought for two groups

Salaries bans remain in place

For further information

March 2004 contents