Ted Baillieu has betrayed teachers in Colac after backflipping on a key election commitment, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said.
“Mr Baillieu should be embarrassed after breaking his own promise to make Victorian teachers the best paid in the country,” Ms Tierney said.
“Instead of standing by his promise, Mr Baillieu is now offering no more than a 2.5 per cent wage increase. This comes on top revelations the Government is slashing $338 million from the education budget.
“This is a blow to hundreds of local teachers who believed Mr Baillieu when he told them he would deliver a significant pay increase to the sector.
“Instead, teachers have been left questioning why Mr Baillieu has walked away from the commitment.
“When asked in parliament whether they stood by their commitment to make teachers the highest paid, Treasurer Kim Wells confirmed they would.”
“In short, the Coalition government stands by every single one of its commitments.”
Kim Wells, 21 December 2010
“Mr Baillieu’s extraordinary confession that he is reneging on his commitment is a slap in the face for every Victorian teacher,” Ms Tierney said.
“Education is obviously not a priority of the Baillieu Government.”
Ms Tierney said the Government owed it to all teachers to stand by their promise.
It’s important the Government provide the right incentives to ensure Victorian schools can continue to recruit and retain the best and brightest teachers,” Ms Tierney said
“This is about making sure our children get the best education and opportunities.
“The Government’s original commitment to make teachers the highest paid in Australia means an 8 per cent salary increase, not 2.5 per cent which they are now offering
“What Mr Baillieu must do is deliver what he’s promised, without making class sizes larger, cutting teachers or reducing schools budgets.”