Positive reforms to education and workplace laws must continue under a second term Labor government
20 May 2025
Labor’s last term of government delivered historic workplace reforms and long-overdue improvements to school funding and early childhood education. This positive momentum must continue to tackle the challenges still facing our schools, kindergartens and preschools.
The achievements of the government over the last three years are many – fairer workplace laws, higher wages and new working rights have benefited tens of thousands of IEU members.
The objectives of the 2012 Gonski school funding plan are finally being fulfilled.
Early childhood education was elevated to the highest priority of public policy and resourcing.
It’s critical that these significant gains are supported and strengthened by the continuation of an ambitious reform program over the next three years.
The IEU will continue to work with the new government, and all elected representatives, to secure the next phase of improvements needed in a growing non-government education sector:
- Fair Funding for All Schools
Education funding models must be centred on student need. This means long-term funding certainty for non-government schools and 100% SRS funding for all public schools.
- Reproductive Health Leave for All
A right to paid reproductive health leave for all workers must be enshrined in legislation.
- More Government Support to Tackle Teacher Workload
Reduce teacher workload through government action on excessive compliance and the application of workload impact tests on all education policies.
- End Discrimination Loopholes
Limit discrimination exemptions for faith-based employers in line with community standards.
- Protect the Legal Right to Take Action
Restore a fair process for members trying to take industrial action and stop employers denying work and pay in response to members taking minor work bans.
The stability and continuity of a re-elected ALP government provides a valuable opportunity to build on recent progress, and to secure the future of a world-class education system.
