State Budget 2015: education a priority

On Tuesday 14 July, Treasurer Curtis Pitt delivered the Palaszczuk government’s first state budget.

Most responses to the budget have been positive and election commitments have been delivered. The government states that the final cost of election commitments will be $1.975 billion, while stating that through savings, offsets and reprioritisations there will be a saving of $2.315 billion, resulting in fiscal improvement of $340 million.

$12.4 billion has been allocated for education. Importantly, this budget ensures full funding for growth and includes real gains for education (see the table for details.

Budget restrictions

With a commitment not to increase taxes while still restoring frontline services, retaining state-owned assets and paying down debt, the government’s position was described by economist Jon Stanford as being in a “straight-jacket”, a position made worse by reduced income from coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The government’s Debt Action Plan contains three components:

  • revising the capital structure of the government’s energy network businesses
  • funding long-service leave on an emergent basis
  • temporary suspension of investment of defined benefit employer contributions.

The final two are of most importance to QTU members. The QTU is confident the government’s measures will not negatively impact our members, and further information is available on our website at www.qtu.asn.au/state-budget-2015/

Common queries

In response to member queries, we have developed a FAQ document, which sits alongside the other state budget information on our website. It confirms that the Great Results Guarantee money is continuing. It also addresses questions related to the cessation of elements of the “Great Teachers = Great Results” plan, ones that have not already been implemented, such as performance bonuses for teachers and contracts for school leaders. Programs that have already been negotiated between the department and the QTU and that are already underway, such as annual performance reviews, mentoring and master teachers, will continue and have not been impacted by the budget.

Budget highlights for education

Other budget points that may interest QTU members

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Kim Roy
Research Officer

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 120 No 6, 21 August 2015, p12-13