The union for teachers and support staff in non-government schools welcomes the re-election of a Labor government that prioritises education and a fairer deal for all working people.
Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews said the union supports a government focused on investing in the education system.
"We congratulate Education Minister Jason Clare; new Early Childhood Education and Youth Minister Jess Walsh; and new Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth on their appointments to these crucial portfolios," Matthews said.
"We look forward to working with them to build a sustainable, high-quality teaching workforce, deliver further education reforms and continue vital progress in industrial relations."
The IEU supports efforts to improve the working lives of teachers and school support staff, including new ways to clarify and reduce workloads. We will continue advocating for adequate staffing and resourcing of schools and measures to attract the next generation of teachers.
The IEU urges the federal government to implement its reform program, beginning with a 20% reduction in HECS-HELP debts, which means more than $5500 will be cut from the average early career teacher's university debt of $27,600.
"Providing new teachers with much-needed financial relief as they begin their career in the classroom is essential to addressing staff shortages," Matthews said.
The IEU also calls on the federal government to protect all education employees from discrimination by removing special exemptions that allow faith-based schools to discriminate.
The union backs further steps towards universal childcare, including building more early childhood education and care centres and supporting high-quality not-for-profit providers.
Matthews acknowledged the vital industrial reforms delivered in the Albanese government's first term, including:
- changes to workplace laws that have delivered higher wages and better conditions
- the right to disconnect from work outside normal working hours
- fully funding all government schools in Australia
- three days guaranteed early childhood education and care
- 15% pay rises for teachers and educators to help build a sustainable early childhood education and care workforce.
"We look forward to the Albanese government continuing to implement important education reforms as well as workplace laws that protect and deliver for the working people of Australia," Matthews said.
