Teacher shortages: Education union states case to Parliamentary Inquiry

Today the Independent Education Union appeared before the NSW Parliament’s Inquiry into Teacher Shortages. The IEU represents the industrial and professional interests of 33,000 teachers and support staff in non-government schools in NSW and the ACT.

“This was a great opportunity to advocate on behalf of members and explain to the Inquiry what it’s like working in schools right now,” said IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Mark Northam.

“The teacher shortage has to be taken seriously. It’s about a better deal for teachers and support staff. It’s about the students and the future of education. It’s about more time for lesson planning, improved pay, and real strategies to address the teacher shortages.”

The Inquiry, chaired by One Nation’s Mark Latham and comprising members of the Labor opposition, the Greens, Liberals and Nationals, heard that COVID had not caused the current issues but it had exacerbated them.

“The IEU has been warning about impending staff shortages for many years due to a range of factors including an ageing workforce, mid-career teacher retention issues and dramatically decreasing enrolments in initial teacher education courses,” Northam said.

Data from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership reveals:

• 28 per cent of teachers say they will leave the profession within four years
• 32 per cent of teachers say they will leave the profession before retirement
• 12 per cent of teachers are over 60 years; and 37 per cent are over 50.

The IEU has had two stop works in six weeks – thousands of teachers and support staff from Catholic schools throughout NSW and the ACT rallied and marched at numerous locations.

“This is unheard of,” Northam said. “School staff are on their knees and schools are in crisis. They’ve been running on goodwill for too long but that goodwill is rapidly running out.”

Last week the IEU wrote to Catholic employers urging them to meet with the union and continue negotiations for a new enterprise agreement that began in January. “Our door is open,” Northam said. “Let’s sit down and fix these issues together.”

ALMOST 20,000 FERAL PIGS CULLED IN REGIONAL NSW

More than 19,500 feral pigs have been culled in seven months through targeted aerial shooting operations run by the NSW Government.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said controlling feral pigs is more critical than ever before with the current threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) our doorstep.

“There is a definite concern that if FMD was to enter our country, it could be spread through feral pig populations across NSW,” Mr Saunders said.

“Protecting ourselves from biosecurity threats is a shared responsibility, and pest animal management is something every rural landholder can do to play their part.

“Each year, Local Land Services coordinates hundreds of group control programs using a variety of tools including aerial shooting, coordinated baiting and trapping.

“Last year, these coordinated pest animal control activities were carried out on more than 40 million hectares of land across NSW.

“The more landholders who are actively participating in these group control programs, the more effective they are at reducing pest animal populations.”

Feral pigs, and other pest animals such as deer and wild dogs, can also cause significant damage to crops, pasture and farm infrastructure, and are also known to attack native species.

Pest animal populations have been increasing across NSW following extended favourable wet conditions.

“There has never been a more important time for landholders to be implementing bestpractice biosecurity measures on their properties, so I’m encouraging them to reach out to Local Land Services for support,” Mr Saunders said.

Landholders looking for advice on pest animal control or wanting to take part in group control programs can contact their closest Local Land Services office by calling 1300 795 299.

Landholders wanting to find out more about FMD or lumpy skin disease (LSD), or attend an upcoming workshop are encouraged to visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/ead

Any signs of FMD or LSD seen in livestock must be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or their Local Land Services district veterinarian.

ACCELERATING SUCCESS FOR REGIONAL INNOVATORS

Entrepreneurs in new and emerging industries in regional NSW will be supported to grow their business, revenues, raise funds and create local jobs, thanks to the NSW Government’s new $2 million Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund.

The Fund will provide grants of between $300,000 and $700,000 to accelerator and incubator programs in regional NSW, Newcastle and Wollongong that support regional entrepreneurs and start-ups in emerging sectors and future industries.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said regional entrepreneurs face additional challenges to their metropolitan counterparts, including ready access to supply chains, partners, funding, and even customers.

“We know our regional and rural areas are places where you can turn a dream into reality, and I’m so pleased this fund is helping these pipeline ideas come to life,” Mr Toole said.

“This new fund will assist businesses access the right expertise to improve their capability and competitiveness, drive economic growth and will equip regional entrepreneurs with the skills they need to lead change.

“Programs that provide new knowledge, skills, training, networking, investment opportunities and other benefits will be supported, helping to grow the business landscape away from major cities.”

The Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund supports the 20-year Economic Vision for Regional NSW and the NSW Government’s priorities and plans to achieve long-term economic success for regional NSW communities.

Applications open today, 4 August and close 30 September 2022 at 2pm.
For further information about the Accelerating Regional Innovation Fund, including
program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/ARIF