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- 6 March 2001
Country Teachers Incentives
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The Hon. PATRICIA FORSYTHE [6.05 p.m.]: Tonight I raise the issue of teaching in country New South Wales. There is no doubt that the recent announcement by the Minister for Education and Training that he will be providing scholarships for students willing to teach in country New South Wales was a step in the right direction. I have been an advocate of scholarships. But it is time that the education department undertook a review of all the incentives available for attracting teachers in view of the shortage of teachers in country New South Wales and of teachers with certain subject backgrounds, particular maths and science. In mid-January this year there were 17 vacancies for maths teachers in country high schools—at schools such as Balranald Central School, Bourke High School, Broken Hill High School, Cobar High School, Coonamble High School, and Goodooga Central School. I hope that by the end of January the vacancies were filled. It is difficult to recruit teachers for the areas. Only last weekend positions were advertised for teacher-principals in some rural and isolated communities.
Against that background I highlight decisions taken by the Teacher Housing Authority. The object of the authority is to provide suitable and adequate housing accommodation for government school and TAFE teachers—in particular in areas where there is inadequate private rental accommodation, such as in remote rural communities—to ensure that schools and TAFE colleges are adequately staffed. I recall that when the Coalition was in government many new houses were constructed. The overwhelming majority of teachers appointed to the rural and isolated, and difficult to staff, schools are beginning teachers—newly appointed recent graduates. A significant number of casual teachers also take short-term positions. The decision was taken without consultation by the Teacher Housing Authority in about August of last year to end the policy of providing furnished accommodation. About 40 per cent of teachers use furnished accommodation. In Lightning Ridge it costs the equivalent of a second-hand fridge to freight a fridge from Dubbo, 360 kilometres away.
The first concern is the lack of consultation and the second is the shortsightedness of the policy. In 2000 in the Moree district 170 beginning teachers had been appointed. Teachers in the Walgett area undertook a survey of the impact of the policy. The response was 42 per cent, 52 of 124 members. To the question: Was this appointment your first appointment ...? the response was 38 yes, 14 no. To the question: Did you work casually for the department in rural and isolated areas? the response was 18 yes, 33 no. To the question: Was the provision of furnished units important in encouraging you to work in rural and isolated schools as a casual teacher? the response was 34 yes. To the question: Was the provision of furnished accommodation an important factor in accepting your permanent appointment? 36 answered yes. To the question: Would you have accepted your appointment if there was no furnished accommodation? 27 answered yes and 20 answered no.
Remember, the object is to staff isolated schools. One person who responded to the survey said, "I had two days notice to move, and I lived at home. There is no way I could have organised removalists or purchase of furniture." Another one said, "I worked for two years casually out there, often living out of the back of my car. Without furnished units there is no way I would have worked casually in this area." Another response was, "Not accepting the job is not an option, you don't get a second chance." Another response was, "I will not be moving my own furniture out to this area. Unless I can obtain a furnished unit I will continue to camp in an unfurnished house with a swag and TV. I have had to purchase a bar fridge and small washing machine." Another response to the survey was, "Many teachers are given placement in the last week of the Xmas holidays or in week 1 of school. Many do not have ... money, many do not even have a car." Many are in their first year out of university. They cannot get a loan, they do not have an income and they do not get paid for a month.
It is against that background that this extremely short-sighted decision was taken, and that is not the only decision taken by the Teacher Housing Authority. I am aware of a teacher who had 18 years experience turning down a position in country New South Wales because of a policy preventing her from keeping animals in the house. Interstate she could have her animals with her. Other issues are also relevant. Today I spoke to the husband of a teacher who wanted to move from interstate. He said that the superannuation and life insurance benefits in Queensland provide little incentive to teachers to come to New South Wales; they are better off staying in Queensland. The teacher had originally moved from the Northern Territory to Queensland and on that occasion the Queensland Government paid the moving costs. That does not happen in New South Wales, except within the border. It is time to carry out a review of incentives that attract teachers to country New South Wales. We must be able to staff our rural and isolated schools.
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