States start to cave in to Federal Government

by Linda Simon

Three state and territory governments have caved in to the demands of the Federal Government and signed up to a funding deal for TAFE that requires Australian Workplace Agreements to be offered to staff.

On August 26, Western Australia and Queensland signed up to the 2005-2008 skilling agreement, the main federal TAFE funding available to states under the Skilling Australia's Workforce Act 2005.

Western Australia Education Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said Western Australia was not happy to sign up but had no choice. She also accused Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson and Federal Vocational and Technical Education Minister Gary Hardgrave of being bully boys, and said that the arrogance of the Federal Government never ceased to amaze her.

The Queensland Government has said that the Skilling Australia's Workforce Act did not require all staff to be offered or engaged under Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), and that they intended to only offer 25-30 senior staff the individual contracts required.

The Northern Territory signed up to the funding agreement on September 1.

The Bill has now moved into legislation, but at this time NSW and the other states and territories have not yet agreed to sign. NSW is continuing to seek discussions about requirements of the Act, and to emphasise their opposition to AWAs.

Federation will now lobby NSW members of Parliament around ensuring that NSW protects their TAFE teachers and educationalists, and explores all legal challenges to the Bill. Apparently the State Government is still seeking legal advice on this matter.

At the same time, Federation will work on further aspects of our campaign. Badges and stickers will be distributed to members saying: "No way - AWAs" and "I will not sign an AWA".

The TAFE Teachers Association is also concerned that TAFE Directors Australia (TDA), made up of TAFE Institute Directors from around Australia and chaired by Illawarra Institute Director Barry Peddle, said in their submission to the Senate Inquiry around the Bill: "TDA fully supports the purpose and objectives of this legislation. However, the legislation is unusually detailed and descriptive and many of its requirements and provisions will require careful interpretation and implementation if its overall intent is to be successfully realised within the three year funding time-frame."

TAFE members are being asked to contact their Institute Directors and to ask:

• Do you support the TDA submission? and
• What does this submission mean in terms of your attitude to AWAs and the undermining of TAFE and public education contained within the Act?

Linda Simon is the TAFE TA Secretary and Federal TAFE President.

Temporary TAFE teacher scare tactics

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005