From the President

We need to build on election wins

By Pat Byrne President

Having won a significant victory in the recent state election the McGowan Government has considerable political capital. It is to be hoped that it uses that capital to do what Labor governments most definitely should do – protect public education and ensure it thrives.

This, undoubtedly, has been one of the strangest election campaigns in Western Australia’s history. Areas which are traditionally the most important in state elections, including education, have been forced into the shadows by the focus on COVID-19. That is understandable. The Labor government, led by Mr McGowan did a fine job in handling the pandemic response – not withstanding that we had differences on the reopening of schools. A combination of the Liberal party surrendering the election nearly three weeks from polling day, combined with early voting, resulted in a paucity of big ticket policy announcements from both parties from that time on. It is pleasing that in an unusually low-key campaign the SSTUWA was able to secure some significant gains for our members and for the public education sector, both schools and TAFE.

The SSTUWA asked for extra mental health services, including 100 more school psychologists. A pledge has been made to deliver 100 extra FTEs over the term of the new government. The SSTUWA asked for an expansion of Alternative Learning Settings (ALS), including at least one ALS in each education region. The Labor party has promised to expand the ALS program into every education region in the state. The SSTUWA’s TAFE Works campaign ahead of the 2017 state election helped ensure TAFE was front and centre of the McGowan Government’s first term, especially in the COVID recovery planning. The expansion of fee reductions and freezes, in addition to considerable capital investment, are most welcome. However, despite some significant steps forward, including significant investment in school and TAFE infrastructure, there needs to be a realisation that it is people who educate students.

Smart new buildings are of no use if the staff within them don’t have the best resources, the best qualifications and professional training; the support they need in areas like IT, libraries and above all, in managing workload. WA needs more teachers, more lecturers and more support staff. They need to be properly paid, not falling behind year after year because of government salary caps. All of this requires a level of recurrent funding that meets the minimums mandated in the Schooling Resource Standard.

To protect public education in this state and ensure it is properly funded in real terms will require us to continue what has been a long fight – at both state and federal levels. A properly funded system will enable the resolution of many of the issues facing public schools, including the provision of genuine salary increases. Labor has won a significant victory. History in Australia shows us that memories of that success, and what prompted it, can fade all too soon. The issues of core importance to Western Australians, with education right at the top, remain. Labor should remember that and give our public education system the support and investment it deserves as it embarks on its next four years of government.

From the President

(continued from page 5) A $1,000 annual increase under current asks are specific and detailed. They will salary caps will leave those educators need to be tackled again during general The reversing of the damage done to TAFE earning over $60,000 worse off in real agreement negotiations. by previous governments – state and terms. On $60,000 the yearly increase federal – is of crucial importance not only would be 1.6 per cent. On $110,000 it is To get these asks met, we need your for COVID recovery, but also beyond. 0.91 per cent. support more than ever. Please, get organised in your workplace. If you don’t Promised infrastructure spending is In even these most simple terms, salary have a formed branch, get to it. If you have welcome, as are the fee cuts. However, caps are demonstrably unfair. It defies colleagues wavering about joining the fee cuts alone will not address the shortage of lecturers, teaching spaces, IT infrastructure and support, libraries and the professional development needed to logic to cite education at all levels as being crucial to recovery plans and then at the same time make the position of a teacher or lecturer unviable in terms of union, ask them for their support. You can find out more about getting organised at sstuwa.org.au/GO21 teach in the new era we all face. salary versus living costs. Strong voices, united in their desire to Across both the TAFE and school sectors All school leaders are even worse off! support each other and public education, have never been more important. Whether the issue of public service pay caps is absolutely crucial. The maintenance of The union’s plans for both schools and TAFE can be found at your work in schools or TAFEs, your commitment is crucial to our success. government wages policy at $1,000 per puttingourkidsfirst.com.au and we need annum is an insult to those public sector your backing to see those plans enacted When you cast your vote, weigh the workers who keep the state running year with proper resourcing to the minimum parties’ commitments; put public after year. standard required by each school. education first. Labor’s own figures (as projected in the This is not a short-term process. It will *Source: Government of Western state budget forward estimates*) set the not end when you cast your vote on 13 Australia. 2020. “Western Australia State expected CPI as 1.75 per cent in 2021/22 March (or as many will do, in the weeks Budget 2020-21: Budget Paper No. 3 - and 2022/23 and 2 per cent in 2023/24. before that day). That is why the SSTUWA’s Economic And Fiscal Outlook”. Perth.

Schooling Resource Standard

in WA public schools: 2017 formula v 2021 formula

2017 formula 2021 formula

89.63% state gov contribution +15.37% federal gov contribution

105% of SRS

+4% additional items (paid by state gov)

109% of SRS

75% state gov contribution +20% federal gov contribution

95% of SRS

+0% (additional items are now included in the 75% state gov contribution) 95% of SRS