Shadow Minister for Education Jo Hersey and teachers in Katherine have claimed a win today with confirmation of additional financial support to secure housing.
Mrs Hersey said the teachers of Katherine had been let down by an arrogant and incompetent government for too long.
“We have been calling on more support from this Fyles Labor government for years, and they’ve finally heard the struggles of our teachers here in this town,” she said.
“Every time I come to Parliament I talk about these concerns, I fronted the union meeting in Darwin and Katherine in support of the teachers not only with the pay freeze but also the housing situation and I am so pleased that teachers in our town finally get what they deserve.
“I am very pleased that this pressure has been a contributor to the announcement today by Education Minister Eva Lawler and I hope Katherine will continue to grow and be a place people come to teach and make a difference to young people’s lives.”
Mrs Hersey said Katherine teachers would receive additional financial support to alleviate costs and all teachers on the grandfathered scheme will continue under current arrangements, while all new and existing teachers will receive $3500 retention payment per year to assist with housing.
“The payment will be made to all Katherine school-based educators in two instalments, at the end of each semester and it’s absolutely welcomed,” she said.
“We know teachers work hard, and they’re doing it tough with cost of living and housing affordability and availability in this town so this is a step in the right direction.”
ENDS