Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
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7087<br />
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<br />
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009<br />
(3) 35.<br />
(4) <strong>No</strong>ne.<br />
(5) to (8) Figures are not organised by electoral areas.<br />
(9) $3 million funding is allocated for the 2009⁄10 financial year.<br />
*7462 TAFE TEACHERS—Ms Clover Moore asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for<br />
Women—<br />
With respect to Government proposals for TAFE teachers:<br />
(1) Will the Government pay wage increases for TAFE teachers only if teachers:<br />
(a) teach an extra 71 hours each year;<br />
(b) work beyond limits on weekly working hours; and<br />
(c) accept fewer hours for pr<strong>of</strong>essional development?<br />
(2) Will these changes mean the loss <strong>of</strong> 500 full-time teaching positions across NSW?<br />
(3) Would these changes reduce expenditure by three times more than the value <strong>of</strong> the wage increase<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered?<br />
(4) What is the Government's rationale for this proposal?<br />
(5) What assessment has the Government made <strong>of</strong> the impact <strong>of</strong> this ongoing dispute on TAFE programs<br />
and students?<br />
(6) What plans does the Government have to ensure appropriate wages and conditions that recognise the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> TAFE programs and TAFE teachers?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) <strong>No</strong>. This matter was the subject <strong>of</strong> arbitration proceedings before the Full Bench <strong>of</strong> the Industrial<br />
Relations Commission on 14-17 September 2009. The Government will abide by the outcome <strong>of</strong><br />
those proceedings as determined by the Industrial Relations Commission.<br />
(2) <strong>No</strong>. There will not be a reduction <strong>of</strong> 500 full-time teaching positions across NSW. Such a reduction<br />
would be neither sustainable nor desirable.<br />
(3) <strong>No</strong>. The Department <strong>of</strong> Education and Training is only seeking to fund the salary increases above<br />
2.5% per annum. To do this the Department has sought further employee related reforms and cost<br />
savings measures that improve the operational efficiency and competitiveness <strong>of</strong> TAFE NSW to<br />
<strong>of</strong>fset the cost <strong>of</strong> the salary increases above 2.5% each year as provided for in the Crown Employees<br />
(Teachers in TAFE and Related Employees, Bradfield College and Teachers in TAFE Children's<br />
Centres) Salaries and Conditions Award 2009.<br />
(4) The NSW Public Sector Wages Policy 2007, which was developed to ensure that all NSW public<br />
sector organisations meet the objectives <strong>of</strong> section 13 <strong>of</strong> the Fiscal Responsibility (NSW) Act 2005.<br />
(5) The Government has endeavored throughout 2009 to finalise this matter through available<br />
mechanisms and has engaged in extensive negotiation and conciliation proceedings. The Department<br />
and the union agreed to a process in January 2009 whereby the further employee related reforms<br />
required to fund the additional salary increases above 2.5% each year would be identified and<br />
finalised.<br />
(6) Under the TAFE teachers award permanent and temporary teachers and related employees receive<br />
salary increases <strong>of</strong> 4.4% from January 2009, 3.8% from January 2010, and 3.8% from January 2011.<br />
That is a 12.48% cumulative salary increase over the life <strong>of</strong> the award. These salary increases mean<br />
that NSW TAFE teachers remain the highest paid TAFE teachers in Australia while delivering the<br />
least amount <strong>of</strong> direct teaching hours.<br />
The salary increases delivered under the TAFE award and the reform measures sought are fair and<br />
reasonable and meet the community's expectation that salary increases will not increase costs to the<br />
community or reduce services. The outcome will help NSW maintain its position <strong>of</strong> delivering high<br />
quality educational outcomes to students.<br />
*7463 DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET—Mr Jonathan O'Dea asked the Premier, and Minister<br />
for the Arts—<br />
(1) What was the number <strong>of</strong> equivalent full time employees in the Department <strong>of</strong> Premier and Cabinet as<br />
at:<br />
(a) 30 June 2008;<br />
(b) 30 June 2009?<br />
(2) What was the number <strong>of</strong> contractors and consultants engaged by the Department <strong>of</strong> Premier and<br />
Cabinet:<br />
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