Submission
No 31

INQUIRY INTO PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTION
FUNDING, EXPENDITURE AND DISCLOSURES BILL
2011
Organisation:

NSW Teachers Federation

Date received:

18/01/2012

NEW SOUTH WALES TEACHERS FEDERATIONSUBMISSION TO

PARLIAMENT OF NSW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SELECT COMMITTEEON

THE PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTION FUNDING, EXPENDITURE ANDDISCLOSURES AMENDMENT BILL 2011

Authorised by____________________________

Jenny Diamond
General Secretary
NSW Teachers Federation

18 January 2012

Page 1 of 30

NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION SUBMISSION TO THE LEGISLATIVECOUNCIL OF THE NSW PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO
THE PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTION FUNDING, EXPENDITURE ANDDISCLOSURES BILL

The NSW Teachers Federation, [the Federation] a union of New South Wales public sector employees
registered under the Industrial Relations Act NSW 1996, is charged by its rules and objects (see Appendix1)
to represent the interests of its members. In order to effectively do this it must be able to participate in the
broad democratic contest of ideas not just at election time but in all stages of a government’s term of office.

The Federation is concerned that the proposed Bill constrains the Federation’s ability to campaign aroundissues when a policy position, independently arrived at and campaigned for, is similar to that of anotherbody. The Federation prides itself on its independence and ability to campaign vigorously for public
education. It is not affiliated to any political party, nor has the organisation ever donated funds to a politicalparty.

However, while not affiliated with any political party, the Federation is affiliated with the state peak union
body, UnionsNSW. Together with other UnionsNSW affiliates the Federation has participated in a numberof collective campaigns to ensure the provision of quality public services, including public education. Cross
union campaigns have also been developed to improve workers safety and to advance social justice issues
such as pay equity. These campaigns are consistent with the Rules and Objects of the Federation.

The proposed legislation will severely impede the Federation’s capacity to further the interests of its
members by denying it the ability to collectively campaign either as an independent trade union or throughjoint action as an affiliate of Unions NSW, the peak state union body. Further, it places limits on the abilityof the Federation to campaign around key issues of concern for the Federation to further the social andindustrial rights of its members in non-party political matters.

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The New South Wales Teachers Federation is the state registered trade union with coverage of NSW publicschool teachers. Federation represents teachers in New South Wales public pre-school, infants, primary andsecondary schools, Schools for Specific purposes and teachers working in consultant/advisory positions.
Teachers in TAFE and Corrective Services are also represented by the Federation. The current financial
membership totals over 69,000 practising teachers and student teacher members. Federation is administeredby 47 elected union officials and three presidential officers. It is the largest state based public education
union in Australia.

Federation is a democratic trade union with extensive opportunities for members to formulate policy andparticipate in campaigns. Federation’s 600 member Annual Conference sets policy over three days in theJuly School Holidays; the 300 member Federation Council meets twice per school term on a Saturday;
members participate in school and local area Teacher Association meetings.

Federation has two representatives on the New South Wales Board of Studies, a statutory body which sets
the curriculum for all registered school in New South Wales and oversees the registration of private schools
in New South Wales Institute of Teachers. Federation works closely with the NSW public school parent andprincipal organisations. Such links and networks have resulted in broad community alliances with formidable
lobbying potential through its membership base.

Federation in alliance with parent and principal organisations has campaigned over many years for increased
funding for public education. American education policy analyst Diane Ravitch has recently emphasised therole of teacher unions in pursuing quality education:

Unions do not by themselves guarantee high educational achievement, but theycertainly assure that adequate funding will be available to keep class sizes
reasonable and to provide programs and services that children need. Without
adequate funding, academic progress is unlikely to occur…If the voices of
their teachers are silenced, who will stand up for students?i

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Compare this to the other voices in the political debate: Social commentator Jane Caro recently wrote:“…Catholic Schools have their church to lobby for them. …Independent and Christian schools are
represented by powerful organisations that have only one task: to defend and promote their system.”ii Private
school systems and principals have no limitations in engaging in political debate with parents at election
time. Their success in the last sixty years in gaining more funding, has given them the skills to do so andincentive to continue. Governments and directors general of education are no longer the unqualified
champions of public schools and their values. Public school principals are constrained by codes of conduct
and their status as government employees.

The default representative and champion of public schools has become the NSW
Teachers Federation. It is not its job but in the absence of governments prepared
to defend the interests of public education – particularly when those interests
might be in direct opposition to those of private schools (the funding link, forexample) – it has taken it on.”iii

The Federation is also a member of the Public Education Alliance, an alliance formed from various
community and professional organisations with a direct link to public education communities. These
organisations include: NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens, NSW Primary Principals Association, NSW
Secondary Principals Council, and the NSW Public Schools Principals Forum.

The Federation affiliates with a number of non government organisations with various community interests:
In 2011 these groups were:Australian Anti-Bases Coalition Committee (NSW Branch)
Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network Ltd (AFTINET)
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR)NSW Council for Civil Liberties
Ethnic Communities Council

Page 4 of 30
Friends of the EarthHiroshima Day Committee
Justice Action
National Parks Association
Nature Conservation Council
NSW Aboriginal Education Council
NSW Council of Social Services
NSW Public Sector Employees Superannuation Committee
Oxfam Australia
People for Nuclear Disarmament
Refugee Council of Australia
Sydney Peace and Justice Coalition
Trade Union Committee on Aboriginal Rights (TUCAR)
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA
United Nations Association of Australia (NSW Division)
Welfare Rights Centre
Workers Educational Association

From these affiliations one can see the breadth of the political involvement of the organisation and its
members and the range of potential issues that engage campaign interest. During the state election the EthnicCommunities Council sent a list of questions to the ALP, Liberal Nationals and the Greens parties
questioning their attitudes to multiculturalism.

The Federation’s affiliation with such bodies usually includes one teacher representative on a Managing
Board and a subscription. Such a representative has little ability to affect the campaign directions or policies
of such bodies and the representation usually amounts to not much more than an act of solidarity with thebroad objectives of such organisations.

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The proposed legislation will threaten the democratic right of the Federation and its members to pursue its
broad political and social objectives through the uncertainty and confusion over what may be viewed aselectoral expenditure and electoral communication expenditure and what has traditionally been viewed asindustrial or political campaigns in support of public education objectives eg smaller class sizes, reduced
teaching loads, increased funding for special needs students.

The Bill also proposes to prohibit all but individuals on the electoral roll from donating to political parties
sec 96 D (1) and deems under sec 96 D (4) annual or other subscriptions paid to a party by a person or entity(including an industrial organisation for affiliation with the party that are, by operation of sec 85 (3) taken to
be gifts (and political donations to the party) subject to this section.

Democratic societies across the world are continually monitoring and seeking to statutorily and in otherways, limit or eliminate the deleterious effects that concentrations of wealth and financial influence have on
the electoral process. The NSW Teachers Federation supports efforts to provide transparency andaccountability in electoral funding. All citizens must have confidence that their elected representatives havebeen placed in positions based on a transparent and politically accountable process.

However, the Federation contends that the current proposed amendments to the Election Funding
Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981 threatens the Federation’s ability to effectively advocate for its
members and participate in this collective democratic activity in a number of ways. The most obvious is theability for the Federation to pool its resources with the peak union body Unions NSW to highlight andadvance policy positions through paid advertising around election time or at any time in the electoral cycle.

The proposed amendments rather than addressing the abuse of the electoral process by the unfair
concentration of media and other forms of campaigning actually suppresses the broad voice of thecommunity groups on a range of issues. It does not matter if that entity is incorporated or unincorporated.

Page 6 of 30
The media has unfettered resources to campaign around community issues and has done so to great effect in
the past, targeting Police Commissioners, Premiers and government departments like DOCS. Media
campaigns around speed cameras, roads, hospitals and various other hot button issues are not picked up in
this legislation.iv

The Premier has stated that this Bill will ban donations from other than individuals, including corporations,industrial organisations, peak industry groups, religious institutions and community organisations. Only aperson on a Commonwealth, State or local government electoral roll can be a donor. This is achieved
through the operation of a new section 96 D. “It will invest the power to donate solely in those who have thepower to vote, those with the greatest stake in the system”. (Premier’s Agreement in Principle Speech 12
September 2011)

The Federation contends this is at best a naïve, and at worst, a dangerous mechanism to give a voice only tothe rich and powerful individuals within the community. It completely ignores the considerable power of themedia and its owners to run campaigns backed by considerable resources.

Item 1 of Schedule 1 attempts to aggregate electoral communication expenditure of parties and theiraffiliated organisations. This provision seems to be targeted at unions affiliated with the ALP who may
campaign around issues during election time. “This Bill will link the electoral communication expenditure ofpolitical parties with that of their affiliates to ensure that the effectiveness and fairness of campaign financerules are not undermined. These reforms are a reasonable, measured and fair way to inject more transparency
and accessibility into the State’s political processes.” (Premier’s Agreement in principle speech 12
September 2011 page 31)

However, the provisions create uncertainty and hesitation in any community or collective group who may
wish to enter the democratic debate either at election time or at other times of the electoral cycle. Will they
be considered to be a “third party campaigner”? Will any expenditure on a particular issue be deemed to be“electoral communication expenditure” and result in a possible breach of the legislation?

Page 7 of 30

The Federation contends that historically the weak, the voiceless and the vulnerable have banded together toexert more influence and to have their issues given a profile. These voters are the ones who have the greatest“stake in the system” as it is their issues that are often overlooked and ignored in the contest of vested
interests and it is the organisations that represent them that have a vital role to play in bringing their issues topublic attention.

More and more, to exercise freedom of speech in a democracy it is necessary for particular interest groups toband together to be heard above the noise of competing media interests. Amy Gutmann quoted in Money and
Politicsv says: “organised association is increasingly essential for the effective use of free speech. Without
access to an association that is willing to speak up for our views and values we have a very limited ability to
be heard by many other people or to influence the political process, unless we happen to be rich andfamous.”At election time the Federation sometimes publishes a “report card”. The report card rates the various
political parties on how beneficial their policies may be for public education or some other issue of concern
to members. The report card is produced after discussion and consultation with the various political parties or
independents. Despite being non-party political this activity will be caught under these proposed
amendments when done in Association with the peak union body.

Furthermore, the Federation campaigns around a number of issues not solely public education. Progressive
social policy and broad issues of government funding and policy positions for example social policy withregard to asylum seekers, human rights, indigenous rights, gender equity all have a political perspective that
may or may not have an electoral focus. Nevertheless elected members of Parliament will more than likely
be approached at some point in a campaign in order to determine their position on an issue. This may leave
the Federation, or any other union advocating changes in healthcare policy or social change, open toaccusations that it has financially supported a particular party position and the amounts expended on suchcampaigning could be aggregated and be seen to breach the cap on election campaign spending.

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The Federation therefore does not support this provision in the legislation. These provisions do nothing toprotect the citizenry from the claim purported by Mr O’Farrell that “They will end the risk, reality and, underLabor, public perception that donations could buy government influence”. (Premiers Agreement in principle
Speech September 12 2011)

On the contrary, the practical effect will be to stifle debate and restrict non government and community
based organisations from participation in democratic debate if only because of the uncertainty of what
constitutes exceeding the combined party and affiliate expenditure cap. In the case of an organisation such as
the Federation who, while not affiliated to any political party is still an affiliate of Unions NSW and so iscaught by an association that has no binding policy or political effect. The Federation maintains that it does
not necessarily receive any benefit from other union affiliates of Unions NSW also being affiliated with the
ALP. Indeed only 22 of the 64 affiliates of Unions NSW are affiliated with the ALP and Unions NSW itself
is not an affiliate.

Third parties is a non legal term that refers to entities other than registered parties, their associated entities
candidates (and groups of candidates) and donors with disclosure obligations. Examples include nongovernment organisations (NGOs) that engage in political campaigns during election time such as theAustralian Council of Trade Unions, the Business Council of Australia and GetUp!vi

Under s (4) of the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981 a third party campaigner isdefined as:
An entity or other person ( not being a registered party, elected member, group or candidate) who incurs
electoral communication expenditure during a capped expenditure period ( as defined in part 6) that exceeds$2000 in total

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The fear is that if the Federation supports a position shared by the peak body the Federation will have theexpenditure used in that advertising or leafleted material audited as party political and may be in breach of
the electioneering financial cap. This would then lead to penalties as a breach of the legislation.

The ambiguity in relation to capped expenditure is further vexed by the ambiguity around timelines. The
legislation suggests the cap remains in place all year round, every year and not just in a set time frame
around election time. This would severely limit the Federation’s ability to campaign in the interests of its
members. Our members are public sector workers who choose to join up for the benefit of collective
representation and support, this Bill would deny these nearly 70,000 constituents a voice around issues ofpublic interest.

Despite this attack on the collective arrangements of organised labour it seems the legislators have left intact
the sharing of campaign finances between parties in a formal coalition:

Sec 96D (5) Dispositions of property between branches of parties or between associated parties that are by
operation of section 85(3A), taken to be gifts (and political donations to the parties are not subject to thissection.

The difficulties that the amendments pose are exemplified in the recent “TAFE for a Better State” campaign.

In the face of strong privatisation impulses on both sides of government many public sector unions saw thebenefit of banding together to promote the value and sustainability of public sector services and the workers
who provide them.

The Invest in TAFE for a Better State campaign was launched off the back of the broader Unions NSW
public sector unions’ campaign. Like the Unions NSW campaign “Better services for a better state”, theInvest in TAFE for a better state” campaign called on politicians of all persuasions to commit to a 5 point
plan:Page 10 of 30
1. Invest in services: Government must guarantee TAFE funding
2. Look after public assets: Ensure that TAFE jobs and courses are not contracted out to the private
sector
3. Plan long-term: Invest in infrastructure for TAFE that ensures a skilled workforce
4. Back our workers: Increase permanent teaching positions and invest in teacher training.
5. Govern for the common good: Ensure that everyone in NSW has affordable access to a TAFE
education.
As part of the campaign, petitions were circulated and a bus toured electorates rallying activists to attend on
the offices of their local politician asking them to sign a Skills Charter for a better state pledge stating they
supported the campaign’s objectives. (see Appendix 2.) The postcards called on the Premier and Opposition
leader to pledge their support and say:

“We all want a better state where there is a strong economy and thriving communities – a well trained state
where there are jobs, economic growth and our standard of living is enhanced. Research undertaken by the
Allen Consulting group found that every dollar invested in TAFE returns $6 to the economy of NSW.”

Metropolitan and regional radio advertisements exhorted constituents to find out where their elected
representatives stood on this important issue. Sausage sizzles, “Meet the candidate” forums, and local
lobbying action all formed part of this campaign to engage community interest and raise awareness of theseimportant issues for the future of public education and in particular addressing skills shortages and theprovision of training.

Many thousands of signed postcards were sent to then Premier Kristina Keneally and then Opposition leader
Barry O’Farrell. (Appendices 3,6). Electronic postcards were also sent from the Better State website
coordinated by Unions NSW. A campaign button was set up on the Federation website. In this way, social
media such as Facebook and Twitter were utilised. Users that clicked on the Facebook advertisement weretaken to the electronic TAFE postcards. Corflute signs, posters and stickers were also distributed.

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About 140 candidates from 77 electorates pledged their support for the TAFE 5 point plan before theelection. (Appendix 4)This campaign was not party political yet, under the proposed amendments to the Act
these activities coordinated as they were by Unions NSW in one view could be deemed to be part of electoral
communications expenditures and could have exceeded the cap.

It appears these activities would have to be accounted for under sec 87 as electoral communication
expenditure because of the Federation’s association with the umbrella Unions NSW campaign.

The concerns that the Federation pursues are its core work. Campaign issues remain current even after theelection dust has settled. These issues are ongoing concerns that the Federation is charged to pursue on
behalf of its members.(Appendix 5)

On any assessment of what constitutes freedom of association and the functioning of a healthy democracy
this would be seen as an unnecessary infringement on the rights of freedom of speech and a shrinking of thelevel of parliamentary participation by all levels of society. The constrictions on the content and breadth of
democratic discourse make this legislation an unhealthy and unnecessary development.

For these reasons Federation recommends abandoning the proposed amendments.

i

Diane Ravitch, http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/22/ravitch.follow.up
Jane Caro, “Ready to stand up for schools”, Sydney Morning Herald, 1 March 2011
iii
Jane Caro, “Ready to stand up for schools”, Sydney Morning Herald, 1 March 2011
iv
Nixon blames demise on newspaper campaign http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-28/victoria-policecommissioner-christine-nixon-head/2813964
ii

Newspaper campaigns don’t have much to do with the public
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/06/09/newspaper-campaigns-dont-have-much-to-do-with-thepublic/
This Crikey.com article names a few campaigns.
Where is my visa and my house? - the first question asylum seekers ask
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/wheres-my-visa-and-my-house-the-first-questionasylum-seekers-ask/story-e6freuzr-1226224436562 About asylum seekers jumping the queue, Daily
Telegraph December 17 2011

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Painful memories of Mount Druitt's maligned class of '96 – Sydney Morning Herald Jan 29 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/painful-memories-of-mount-druitts-maligned-class-of-96-20100128-n1sd.html
vGutmann Amy quoted in Tham, Joo Cheung Money and Politics: The democracy we can’t afford UNSW Press, 2010
page 19vi

Tham, Joo Cheung Money and politics: The democracy we can’t afford UNSW Press page 29

Appendix 1.
RULE 1.4 OBJECTS

1. The objects of the Federation shall be 1. To uphold the right of combination of labour and to improve, protect
and foster the best interests of its members.

2. To watch over and protect the industrial interests of its members andto consider and deal with all matters affecting them in their industrial
relations.

3. To obtain and secure for its members the best possible conditions andproper and sufficient remuneration, and to guard them against any
hardship, oppression or injustice in connection with their employment.

4. To obtain equal pay and employment rights for members.

5. To ensure that its members enjoy the same civil rights as are enjoyedby other citizens.

6. To speak authoritatively for members whenever the necessity arises.

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7. To secure participation in the administration and development of theinstitutions in which members are employed.

8. To obtain the best possible superannuation for members.

9. To promote industrial peace by all amicable means, such as
conciliation and arbitration.

10. To promote the cause of pre-school, infants, primary, secondary, post compulsory, technical andfurther, higher or tertiary education.

11. To work for and promote international disarmament and co-operation.

12. To ensure that elected representatives of the Federation who continue
to work as teachers, i.e. Federation Representatives, Association
Executives and Councillors, are provided with sufficient support toallow them the best possible opportunity of carrying out their assigned
duties.

13. To promote the Australian Education Union as the body representing
the industrial and educational interests of Federation members at thenational and international level.

14. To seek and maintain registration as an industrial organisation of
employees pursuant to the provisions of the Act.

15. To act as an industrial union of employees.

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16. To do all acts incidental to the above objects.

2. Without in any way limiting the foregoing when it considers it necessary, theFederation may 1. Render financial relief to members and their dependants.

2. Establish a provident and hospital fund.

3. Affiliate with, co-operate with or render financial assistance to any
union of teachers or any organisation whatsoever having any object
similar to any of the objects of the Federation.

4. Provide for the holding of Conferences for the discussion of questionsof educational interest.

5. Initiate and control schemes for the intellectual and professional
advancement of members.

6. Encourage and support educational periodicals and promote thedissemination of educational literature.

7. Establish and develop a library.

8. Publish an official organ and other necessary literature

9. By means of social and other gatherings, encourage "esprit de corps"
among members.

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10. Provide for the establishment of clubs for Federation members.

11. Rent, purchase or build suitable premises for Federation purposes.

12. Provide some form of superannuation payments for employees of theFederation.

13. Establish rest homes for members.

14. Establish a co-operative permanent building society.

15. Provide legal assistance to members or relatives of members in
obtaining legal advice for or assisting members in legal proceedings in
respect of injury or damage or recovery of wages or monies arising outof or in the course of or in any way connected with or concerned with
employment or any industrial matter or in any way concerned with anyof the objects of the Federation or in any other legal proceedings in
respect of which the Federation decides to give assistance.

16. Provide such other services to or for members as are from time to time
considered appropriate.

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Appendix 2.

TAFE van on the road
Candidates in the state election will be asked to pledge their support
for theTAFE 5 Point Plan for a Better State.
Rob Long

Relief TAFE Organiser
The first stop for the Invest in TAFE for a Better State campaign van was Bathurst TAFEon February 1.The van will visit more than 30 TAFE colleges across NSW during the state election
campaign. In the first two weeks the van also travelled to Dubbo, Wellington, Orange,
Lithgow, Gymea, Campbelltown,Wollongong and Mt Druitt. The van arrived in Bathurst
at lunchtime to meet with teachers and students to discuss the TAFE 5 Point Plan for a Better State. This plan
will ensure greater investment in TAFE across rural and regional communities.This plan includes:•Invest in services — Government must guarantee TAFE funding for quality educationfor our students.

•Look after public assets —Ensure that TAFE jobs and courses are not contracted out
to the private sector.

•Plan long-term — Invest in infrastructure for TAFE thatensures a skilled workforce.

•Back our workers — Increase permanent teaching positions and invest in teacher
training.

Page 17 of 30•Govern for the common good — Ensure that everyone in NSW has affordable accessto a TAFE education.MPs and local candidates in the NSW state election will be asked topledge their support for the TAFE 5 Point Plan for a Better State during the campaign.
Teachers at Bathurst met with the local ALP state election candidate and he signed the pledge.

Further meetings with other local candidates are being pursued.It is particularly importantin regional communities that local candidates pledge their support for the TAFE 5 Point
Plan for a Better State, as everyone needs affordable access to a TAFE education irrespectiveof whether they live in the city or the bush.
ournaloftheNewSouthWalesTeachersFeder

They’ve signed
Nick Bleasdale (ALP,
Campbelltown)
Phil Bradley (Greens,
Parramatta)
Cherie Burton (ALP, Kogarah)
Dawn Fardell (independent,
Dubbo)
Troy Grant (National, Dubbo)
John Kaye (Greens, MLC)
Dale Turner (ALP, Bathurst)

Van schedule
February 14: Randwick

Page 18 of 30

February 15: Brookvale
February 16: Nirimba
February 17: Enmore
February 18: OTEN
February 21: Glendale
February 22: Taree/Kempsey
February 23: Lismore/
Wollongbar
February 24: Tamworth
February 25: Cessnock/Kurri
February 28: Blue Mountains
March 1: Miller
March 2: Meadowbank
March 3: St George
March 4: Kingswood
March 7: Ultimo
March 8: Cooma
March 9: Wagga Wagga
March 10: Griffith
March 14: Nowra
March 15: Granville
March 16: Bankstown
March 17: Newcastle
March 18: Belmont/Wyong
March 21: Baulkham Hills
March 22: Petersham
March 23: West Wollongong

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Appendix 3.

Tell Kristina and Barry to support
TAFE plan
Peter de Graaff
Assistant General Secretary(Post School Education)

Postcards distributed to TAFE colleges in the lead-up to the state election give teachers, students andmembers of thecommunity an opportunity to tell Kristina Keneally and Barry O’Farrell to support the TAFE 5 Point Plan fora BetterState. The postcards call on them to pledge their support and say:“We all want a better state, where there is astrong economy
and thriving communities — a well trained state where there are jobs, economic growth and our standard ofliving is enhanced.
Research undertaken by the Allen Consulting Group found that every dollar invested in TAFE returns $6 tothe economy
of NSW.”

Federation has set up an Invest in TAFE for a Better State campaign page on its website with copies ofcampaign resources.

Page 20 of 30

Please go to this campaign page to send an electronic letter/postcard to Kristina Keneally, Barry O’Farrell
and your local MP to pledgetheir support: www.nswtf.org.au/campaigns/invest/index.html

For

users

of

Facebook

andTwitter,campaign

pages

havealso

been

setup:•www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Invest-in-TAFE-for-a-BetterState/123789851024489?v=info.•http://twitter.com/#!/Investin-TAFE.
Press the “like” button on the Invest in TAFE for a Better State campaign page on Facebook,and the “follow” button on Twitter.

Appendix 4.

Campaign collects valuable
signatures
Significant Nationals signed the pledge for the TAFE 5 Point Plan.
Peter de Graaff
Assistant General Secretary(Post School Education)

The Invest in TAFE campaign van made visits to Bathurst, Dubbo, Wellington, Orange, Lithgow, Gymea,
Campbelltown,
Wollongong, Mt Druitt, Randwick, Brookvale, Nirimba, Enmore, OTEN, Glendale, Taree, Kempsey,
Lismore,Page 21 of 30

Tamworth, Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Blue Mountains, Miller, Meadowbank, St George, Kingswood, Ultimo,
Cooma,
Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Ryde, Granville, Bankstown, Newcastle, Belmont, Wyong, Baulkham Hills,
Petersham,West Wollongong TAFE campuses between February1 and the state election on March 26.

Activities included meet the candidates forums for teachers and students, sausage sizzles, petition andpostcard signingand local lobbying action. Many other workplaces where the campaign van did not visit have held local
events. At these
events many hundreds of students and teachers participated overall.

The campaign generated a significant amount of media reports in regional and rural newspapers and on TV
and radio.
Many thousands of signed postcards to then Premier Kristina Keneally and then Opposition leader
BarryO’Farrell were collected
And sent on a daily basis to both leaders. Electronic postcards supporting the TAFE 5 Point Plan were also
sent from theBetter State website, coordinated by Unions NSW.

A Facebook campaign page and advertisement was set up to promote the campaign. The advertisement, on
Facebook between February 13 and March 21, targeted NSW users. Users that clicked on the advertisement
were taken to theelectronic TAFE postcards. The total number of users to click through from the advertisement was 1378.

About 140 candidates from 77 electorates pledged their support for the TAFE 5 Point Plan before theelection. Most
pledges were signed as result of local campaigning where local activists met with candidates.

Page 22 of 30

Those who signed the pledge include Nationals leader Andrew Stoner, then Opposition education andtraining minister
Adrian Piccoli and then Opposition transport spokesperson Gladys Berejiklian. Greens education
spokesperson
Dr John Kaye pledged his support as has did his colleague
David Shoebridge. Independent MP Richard Torbay also signed the pledge.
Appendix 5.

TAFE election funding promise
uncertainPeter de Graaff
Assistant General Secretary(Post School Education)

It is unclear whether Premier Kristina Keneally’s announcement on February 25
commits any new money to TAFE.

The announcement about capital expenditure seems to repeat expenditure of $78
million already contained in the State Budget for TAFE infrastructure this year.
The NSW State Budget for 2010-11 announced infrastructure investment in
29 major TAFE projects at a value of $78 million. This is equal to the first year of investment
in upgraded and new facilities announced by the Premier of $315 million over four years.

Page 23 of 30

Federation has sought confirmation whether the funding announced is four years’normal expenditure on
capital and maintenance, or is additional money.

It is also unclear whether the 3000 new apprenticeship places over four years thathave been announced are new or were previously foreshadowed.

The Premier announced that industry relevant green skills would be included within
all apprenticeship training. Federation has argued for this for some time.
She committed to maintaining a fee concession system, however, she must commit
that if re-elected TAFE fees and charges will be capped, stop the increasing commercialisation of courses,
and rule out any further introduction and expansion of VET-FEE HELP to ensurethat TAFE remains accessible and affordable to all.
The announcement remained silent on other areas of the TAFE 5 Point Plan, including
increasing the number of permanent teaching positions, investing in teacher
training and ensuring that
TAFE jobs and courses are not contracted out to the private sector.

Page 24 of 30

Appendix 6.

Support for pledge grows
Rob Long
Relief TAFE Organiser

Across NSW the Invest in TAFE campaign continues to gain support for the TAFE 5 Point Plan
for a Better State.

The campaign began in western NSW where local teachers quickly gained support fromstate election candidates for the 5 Point Plan.
The plan includes:•Invest in services — Government
must guarantee TAFE
funding for quality educationfor our students.
•Look after public assets — Ensurethat TAFE jobs and courses
are not contracted out to the private
sector.
•Plan long-term — Invest in infrastructure
for TAFE that ensuresa skilled workforce.
•Back our workers — Increase
permanent teaching positions
and invest in teacher training.

Page 25 of 30•Govern for the common good
— Ensure that everyone in NSW
has affordable access to a TAFE
education.

The campaign continued with teachers across NSW inviting their local candidates to their
TAFE college, giving them a first hand opportunity to emphasise the importance ofTAFE during the NSW election campaign.

Local events at TAFE colleges in the north, south, east and west saw support from students
and the community grow. The message of investing in services for our students, not the current
focus on cost cutting was clearly articulated to local candidates, and they continued tosign the pledge of support.

Initially the pledge saw strong support from the ALP, Green and independent candidates.
This included Ministers Carmel Tebbutt and John Robertson and a wide range of candidates in rural, regionaland metropolitan electorates. Coalition members in Dubbo, Tamworth, Monaro,
Illawarra and the South Coast supported the plan but other Coalition candidates were deferring
their decision until discussion with the shadow minister for Education Adrian Piccoli. Mr Piccoli signed thepledge in Cooma and it is anticipated that support from Coalition members will continue to grow.
All Federation members involved in getting this campaign started in such a positive andprogressive manner are to be congratulated.

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