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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (19 August) . . Page.. 2842 ..

MR PRATT (continuing):

Mr Speaker, I have publicly stated that unions representing teachers were right to target state and territory treasuries regarding a wage increase. The ACT is in a strong financial position, with continuing windfall gains, particularly through charges like stamp duty. It is unfair for the ACT government to expect teachers to roll over and accept a 3.5 per cent increase or at least now a 4.5 per cent increase adjusted, over one year, in these strong economic times when public servants will receive the equivalent of a 10.5 per cent pay increase over 18 months.

Mr Speaker, teachers are public servants as well. But of course they don't see the benefits of items like flex time and overtime. Why then does education minister, Katy Gallagher, think teachers will be happy with 41/2 per cent? This offer has come too late, it is not enough and it could see the ACT losing good teachers across our border for better wages.

The Stanhope Labor government emphasises how much it values ACT public servants by giving them a 10.5 per cent wage increase over 18 months. In the paltry offer that this government has made to teachers, it creates the impression that ACT Labor does not value teachers in the same way as it regards other workers.

It is time for this government to put the full three-year agreement on the table so that teachers can decide for themselves if this government values their work. A one-year agreement is an insult. It does not help teachers and their families to plan with any certainty. It is very poor management and, indeed, pathetic leadership on the part of the government.

Mr Speaker, the ACT education system has been one of the best in the country and has traditionally sat high on the OECD countries list. But since this government has come to power, no value has been added to the education system. The government has shown little appetite for firewalling the ACT system from the problems widespread elsewhere which have begun to impact now in our own territory.

Our children in that system deserve the best attention. They need dedicated teachers who feel secure. They are not getting it. The treatment by the Labor government of the teachers is symptomatic of that.

It is not easy for government to find the funding to pay out important professionals; that's granted. Everyone knows we need more funding for teachers, police and nurses. But when government has the means by which to make substantial and justified improvements, such as in the case with the teachers EBA, then it must do that. This government is failing dismally to do that.

Mr Speaker, an increase of at least 1.5 per cent is probably now required. And the government may even have to look at further increases. The government will need to be alert to perhaps another 1 per cent increase, depending on New South Wales negotiations. Given the revenue windfall, the government could afford to action this. If the government doesn't action this, then the government needs to explain to the teachers and the community.

Mr Corbell: It's recurrent expenditure.

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