Hopes for a new national park dashed, to the delight of hunters
Conservationists had for a decade campaigned for the creation of a Great Forest National Park, which would add another 355,000 hectares of forests to triple the area of Central Highlands that is currently protected.
The expanded national park, joining seven existing forests and state parks, would have offered critical protections for endangered and imperilled animals like the Leadbeater's possum.
But the proposal has been controversial among bush users' groups, who say it would lock recreational park users out.
Gold prospectors, 4WD enthusiasts, shooters, horse riders and other groups, backed by the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), have joined forces in a growing campaign against national parks, and have strongly campaigned against the creation of a Great Forest National Park.
Sparked by a renewed push to ban duck hunting in Victoria, the ETU (Victorian branch) in 2023 brought together hunters, bush user groups, rock climbers and prospectors to form the Outdoor Recreation Advocacy Group.
Speaking at an ETU delegates' conference this week, Dimopoulos assured attendees the Great Forest National Park proposal was not Labor policy, and Labor would not implement it.
After the 2014 state election, Labor established a taskforce comprising representatives from environment groups, forestry unions and the logging industry to work towards a consensus on the creation of a Great Forest National Park.
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Australia to take 'sensible, middle path' on AI control
Australia will chart a "sensible, middle path" on regulating artificial intelligence, the treasurer says, as concerns grow over its impact on the future of work and the arts. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is hoping to use AI as a weapon in Labor's second-term battle against languishing productivity after the Productivity Commission's interim report determined it could transform the global economy and add more than $116 billion to Australia's economic activity over the next decade. Aspirations for AI have long been dogged by concerns it could replace human jobs and draws data from dubious or potentially stolen sources. But Dr Chalmers insists Australia can both wrangle the risks and reap the benefits of AI. "Our approach is a sensible, middle path," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. "I'm very conscious and attentive to the genuine concerns that workers can have about big changes in technology and it's hard to imagine a bigger change in technology than this one. "Technological change typically creates more opportunities than it discards, but the nature of work is always evolving and always changing "We don't want to see people necessarily put out of work - our job is to make sure that people have the skills they need to adapt and adopt this kind of technology." The Productivity Commission urged Australia to hold off from imposing guardrails on high-risk AI and only introduce technology-specific regulations after amending the rules and frameworks already in place. "Poorly designed" regulation could stifle the adoption and development of AI, "limiting a potentially enormous growth opportunity", Commissioner Stephen King said. But the ACTU has accused the commission of taking a "knee-jerk" stance and selling out workers and industries. "The Productivity Commission's only ambition for Australia's digital future seems to be that we turn ourselves into a mini version of the United States where tech bros get all the benefits of the new technology, and productivity benefits are not fairly shared," ACTU assistant secretary Joseph Mitchell said. A united front of Australian screen industry bodies including the Australian Writers' Guild and the Australian Directors' Guild has pushed back on the report, specifically its considerations on copyright. "A remuneration scheme is essential to maintaining the livelihoods of creators and authors to ensure they are fairly compensated for the exploitation of their work on AI platforms," Australian Screen Directors Authorship Collection Society executive director Deb Jackson said. "Without this there is a significant threat to Australian creative innovation and economic growth in the creative sectors." Greens senator David Shoebridge warned a hands-off approach to AI would "continue to rip off creators and spy on individuals" and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley echoed those concerns, calling on the government to protect Australian content. "We need a government that backs in our artists, our writers, our musicians and our unique and special Australian content," Ms Ley told reporters. "We should embrace the technology with respect to AI, but we have to get the balance right." The federal government's report published in September found AI can amplify biases, contribute to misinformation and disinformation, spread extremist content and create other new risks. Some business groups have supported the cautious recommendations on regulation, with the professional accounting body, CPA Australia, urging the government to help businesses adopt AI through incentives and educational programs. Dr Chalmers promised to listen to workers before an August economic roundtable on improving productivity to lift living standards. Australia will chart a "sensible, middle path" on regulating artificial intelligence, the treasurer says, as concerns grow over its impact on the future of work and the arts. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is hoping to use AI as a weapon in Labor's second-term battle against languishing productivity after the Productivity Commission's interim report determined it could transform the global economy and add more than $116 billion to Australia's economic activity over the next decade. Aspirations for AI have long been dogged by concerns it could replace human jobs and draws data from dubious or potentially stolen sources. But Dr Chalmers insists Australia can both wrangle the risks and reap the benefits of AI. "Our approach is a sensible, middle path," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. "I'm very conscious and attentive to the genuine concerns that workers can have about big changes in technology and it's hard to imagine a bigger change in technology than this one. "Technological change typically creates more opportunities than it discards, but the nature of work is always evolving and always changing "We don't want to see people necessarily put out of work - our job is to make sure that people have the skills they need to adapt and adopt this kind of technology." The Productivity Commission urged Australia to hold off from imposing guardrails on high-risk AI and only introduce technology-specific regulations after amending the rules and frameworks already in place. "Poorly designed" regulation could stifle the adoption and development of AI, "limiting a potentially enormous growth opportunity", Commissioner Stephen King said. But the ACTU has accused the commission of taking a "knee-jerk" stance and selling out workers and industries. "The Productivity Commission's only ambition for Australia's digital future seems to be that we turn ourselves into a mini version of the United States where tech bros get all the benefits of the new technology, and productivity benefits are not fairly shared," ACTU assistant secretary Joseph Mitchell said. A united front of Australian screen industry bodies including the Australian Writers' Guild and the Australian Directors' Guild has pushed back on the report, specifically its considerations on copyright. "A remuneration scheme is essential to maintaining the livelihoods of creators and authors to ensure they are fairly compensated for the exploitation of their work on AI platforms," Australian Screen Directors Authorship Collection Society executive director Deb Jackson said. "Without this there is a significant threat to Australian creative innovation and economic growth in the creative sectors." Greens senator David Shoebridge warned a hands-off approach to AI would "continue to rip off creators and spy on individuals" and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley echoed those concerns, calling on the government to protect Australian content. "We need a government that backs in our artists, our writers, our musicians and our unique and special Australian content," Ms Ley told reporters. "We should embrace the technology with respect to AI, but we have to get the balance right." The federal government's report published in September found AI can amplify biases, contribute to misinformation and disinformation, spread extremist content and create other new risks. Some business groups have supported the cautious recommendations on regulation, with the professional accounting body, CPA Australia, urging the government to help businesses adopt AI through incentives and educational programs. Dr Chalmers promised to listen to workers before an August economic roundtable on improving productivity to lift living standards. Australia will chart a "sensible, middle path" on regulating artificial intelligence, the treasurer says, as concerns grow over its impact on the future of work and the arts. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is hoping to use AI as a weapon in Labor's second-term battle against languishing productivity after the Productivity Commission's interim report determined it could transform the global economy and add more than $116 billion to Australia's economic activity over the next decade. Aspirations for AI have long been dogged by concerns it could replace human jobs and draws data from dubious or potentially stolen sources. But Dr Chalmers insists Australia can both wrangle the risks and reap the benefits of AI. "Our approach is a sensible, middle path," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. "I'm very conscious and attentive to the genuine concerns that workers can have about big changes in technology and it's hard to imagine a bigger change in technology than this one. "Technological change typically creates more opportunities than it discards, but the nature of work is always evolving and always changing "We don't want to see people necessarily put out of work - our job is to make sure that people have the skills they need to adapt and adopt this kind of technology." The Productivity Commission urged Australia to hold off from imposing guardrails on high-risk AI and only introduce technology-specific regulations after amending the rules and frameworks already in place. "Poorly designed" regulation could stifle the adoption and development of AI, "limiting a potentially enormous growth opportunity", Commissioner Stephen King said. But the ACTU has accused the commission of taking a "knee-jerk" stance and selling out workers and industries. "The Productivity Commission's only ambition for Australia's digital future seems to be that we turn ourselves into a mini version of the United States where tech bros get all the benefits of the new technology, and productivity benefits are not fairly shared," ACTU assistant secretary Joseph Mitchell said. A united front of Australian screen industry bodies including the Australian Writers' Guild and the Australian Directors' Guild has pushed back on the report, specifically its considerations on copyright. "A remuneration scheme is essential to maintaining the livelihoods of creators and authors to ensure they are fairly compensated for the exploitation of their work on AI platforms," Australian Screen Directors Authorship Collection Society executive director Deb Jackson said. "Without this there is a significant threat to Australian creative innovation and economic growth in the creative sectors." Greens senator David Shoebridge warned a hands-off approach to AI would "continue to rip off creators and spy on individuals" and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley echoed those concerns, calling on the government to protect Australian content. "We need a government that backs in our artists, our writers, our musicians and our unique and special Australian content," Ms Ley told reporters. "We should embrace the technology with respect to AI, but we have to get the balance right." The federal government's report published in September found AI can amplify biases, contribute to misinformation and disinformation, spread extremist content and create other new risks. Some business groups have supported the cautious recommendations on regulation, with the professional accounting body, CPA Australia, urging the government to help businesses adopt AI through incentives and educational programs. Dr Chalmers promised to listen to workers before an August economic roundtable on improving productivity to lift living standards. Australia will chart a "sensible, middle path" on regulating artificial intelligence, the treasurer says, as concerns grow over its impact on the future of work and the arts. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is hoping to use AI as a weapon in Labor's second-term battle against languishing productivity after the Productivity Commission's interim report determined it could transform the global economy and add more than $116 billion to Australia's economic activity over the next decade. Aspirations for AI have long been dogged by concerns it could replace human jobs and draws data from dubious or potentially stolen sources. But Dr Chalmers insists Australia can both wrangle the risks and reap the benefits of AI. "Our approach is a sensible, middle path," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. "I'm very conscious and attentive to the genuine concerns that workers can have about big changes in technology and it's hard to imagine a bigger change in technology than this one. "Technological change typically creates more opportunities than it discards, but the nature of work is always evolving and always changing "We don't want to see people necessarily put out of work - our job is to make sure that people have the skills they need to adapt and adopt this kind of technology." The Productivity Commission urged Australia to hold off from imposing guardrails on high-risk AI and only introduce technology-specific regulations after amending the rules and frameworks already in place. "Poorly designed" regulation could stifle the adoption and development of AI, "limiting a potentially enormous growth opportunity", Commissioner Stephen King said. But the ACTU has accused the commission of taking a "knee-jerk" stance and selling out workers and industries. "The Productivity Commission's only ambition for Australia's digital future seems to be that we turn ourselves into a mini version of the United States where tech bros get all the benefits of the new technology, and productivity benefits are not fairly shared," ACTU assistant secretary Joseph Mitchell said. A united front of Australian screen industry bodies including the Australian Writers' Guild and the Australian Directors' Guild has pushed back on the report, specifically its considerations on copyright. "A remuneration scheme is essential to maintaining the livelihoods of creators and authors to ensure they are fairly compensated for the exploitation of their work on AI platforms," Australian Screen Directors Authorship Collection Society executive director Deb Jackson said. "Without this there is a significant threat to Australian creative innovation and economic growth in the creative sectors." Greens senator David Shoebridge warned a hands-off approach to AI would "continue to rip off creators and spy on individuals" and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley echoed those concerns, calling on the government to protect Australian content. "We need a government that backs in our artists, our writers, our musicians and our unique and special Australian content," Ms Ley told reporters. "We should embrace the technology with respect to AI, but we have to get the balance right." The federal government's report published in September found AI can amplify biases, contribute to misinformation and disinformation, spread extremist content and create other new risks. Some business groups have supported the cautious recommendations on regulation, with the professional accounting body, CPA Australia, urging the government to help businesses adopt AI through incentives and educational programs. Dr Chalmers promised to listen to workers before an August economic roundtable on improving productivity to lift living standards.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Libs back in minority government but face more hurdles
Tasmania's Liberals remain in minority government despite no formal agreements of support from crossbenchers after a snap election with no clear majority winner. There is also no guarantee Premier Jeremy Rockliff's government would survive a future no-confidence motion, prompting him to call for "responsibility" from other members of parliament. After weeks of political limbo, Mr Rockliff met Governor Barbara Baker at Government House on Wednesday asking to recommission his minority government. Ms Baker said she accepted the request after Mr Rockliff told her he expected to gain the confidence of the lower house, the governor revealed in a statement. "In a hung parliament, where no one clearly holds the confidence of the majority of the House of Assembly, the incumbent has the right to remain in office in order to test the numbers in the House of Assembly and for Parliament to have the final say in who should be Premier," Ms Baker said. "I consider the convention of incumbency applies in the current circumstances. I shall reappoint the Premier. "It is better for confidence to be determined inside and not outside the Parliament." A short time later, Mr Rockliff revealed he was yet to secure any formal verbal or written agreements of support from non-Liberals. "What is important is that a government is reformed," he told reporters in Hobart. "A government that is able to govern on the floor of the house and a cross bench of course, that works with the government." The premier said he had learnt from the previous parliament, which ended when this government failed a no-confidence vote and prompted the state's second election in 16 months. The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents. One independent and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Rockliff and his cabinet are set to be sworn in next week, before state parliament returns on August 19. The governor said the detailed reasons for her decision to recommission the government would be published on her website later on Wednesday. Labor leader Dean Winter was still vying for his party to form government as of Tuesday evening, revealing he had stepped up negotiations with crossbenchers but had ruled out a deal with the Greens. A key sticking point Tasmania politics continues to be major parties backing a new $1 billion stadium in Hobart, which the Greens and some independents oppose. Tasmania's Liberals remain in minority government despite no formal agreements of support from crossbenchers after a snap election with no clear majority winner. There is also no guarantee Premier Jeremy Rockliff's government would survive a future no-confidence motion, prompting him to call for "responsibility" from other members of parliament. After weeks of political limbo, Mr Rockliff met Governor Barbara Baker at Government House on Wednesday asking to recommission his minority government. Ms Baker said she accepted the request after Mr Rockliff told her he expected to gain the confidence of the lower house, the governor revealed in a statement. "In a hung parliament, where no one clearly holds the confidence of the majority of the House of Assembly, the incumbent has the right to remain in office in order to test the numbers in the House of Assembly and for Parliament to have the final say in who should be Premier," Ms Baker said. "I consider the convention of incumbency applies in the current circumstances. I shall reappoint the Premier. "It is better for confidence to be determined inside and not outside the Parliament." A short time later, Mr Rockliff revealed he was yet to secure any formal verbal or written agreements of support from non-Liberals. "What is important is that a government is reformed," he told reporters in Hobart. "A government that is able to govern on the floor of the house and a cross bench of course, that works with the government." The premier said he had learnt from the previous parliament, which ended when this government failed a no-confidence vote and prompted the state's second election in 16 months. The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents. One independent and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Rockliff and his cabinet are set to be sworn in next week, before state parliament returns on August 19. The governor said the detailed reasons for her decision to recommission the government would be published on her website later on Wednesday. Labor leader Dean Winter was still vying for his party to form government as of Tuesday evening, revealing he had stepped up negotiations with crossbenchers but had ruled out a deal with the Greens. A key sticking point Tasmania politics continues to be major parties backing a new $1 billion stadium in Hobart, which the Greens and some independents oppose. Tasmania's Liberals remain in minority government despite no formal agreements of support from crossbenchers after a snap election with no clear majority winner. There is also no guarantee Premier Jeremy Rockliff's government would survive a future no-confidence motion, prompting him to call for "responsibility" from other members of parliament. After weeks of political limbo, Mr Rockliff met Governor Barbara Baker at Government House on Wednesday asking to recommission his minority government. Ms Baker said she accepted the request after Mr Rockliff told her he expected to gain the confidence of the lower house, the governor revealed in a statement. "In a hung parliament, where no one clearly holds the confidence of the majority of the House of Assembly, the incumbent has the right to remain in office in order to test the numbers in the House of Assembly and for Parliament to have the final say in who should be Premier," Ms Baker said. "I consider the convention of incumbency applies in the current circumstances. I shall reappoint the Premier. "It is better for confidence to be determined inside and not outside the Parliament." A short time later, Mr Rockliff revealed he was yet to secure any formal verbal or written agreements of support from non-Liberals. "What is important is that a government is reformed," he told reporters in Hobart. "A government that is able to govern on the floor of the house and a cross bench of course, that works with the government." The premier said he had learnt from the previous parliament, which ended when this government failed a no-confidence vote and prompted the state's second election in 16 months. The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents. One independent and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Rockliff and his cabinet are set to be sworn in next week, before state parliament returns on August 19. The governor said the detailed reasons for her decision to recommission the government would be published on her website later on Wednesday. Labor leader Dean Winter was still vying for his party to form government as of Tuesday evening, revealing he had stepped up negotiations with crossbenchers but had ruled out a deal with the Greens. A key sticking point Tasmania politics continues to be major parties backing a new $1 billion stadium in Hobart, which the Greens and some independents oppose. Tasmania's Liberals remain in minority government despite no formal agreements of support from crossbenchers after a snap election with no clear majority winner. There is also no guarantee Premier Jeremy Rockliff's government would survive a future no-confidence motion, prompting him to call for "responsibility" from other members of parliament. After weeks of political limbo, Mr Rockliff met Governor Barbara Baker at Government House on Wednesday asking to recommission his minority government. Ms Baker said she accepted the request after Mr Rockliff told her he expected to gain the confidence of the lower house, the governor revealed in a statement. "In a hung parliament, where no one clearly holds the confidence of the majority of the House of Assembly, the incumbent has the right to remain in office in order to test the numbers in the House of Assembly and for Parliament to have the final say in who should be Premier," Ms Baker said. "I consider the convention of incumbency applies in the current circumstances. I shall reappoint the Premier. "It is better for confidence to be determined inside and not outside the Parliament." A short time later, Mr Rockliff revealed he was yet to secure any formal verbal or written agreements of support from non-Liberals. "What is important is that a government is reformed," he told reporters in Hobart. "A government that is able to govern on the floor of the house and a cross bench of course, that works with the government." The premier said he had learnt from the previous parliament, which ended when this government failed a no-confidence vote and prompted the state's second election in 16 months. The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents. One independent and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Rockliff and his cabinet are set to be sworn in next week, before state parliament returns on August 19. The governor said the detailed reasons for her decision to recommission the government would be published on her website later on Wednesday. Labor leader Dean Winter was still vying for his party to form government as of Tuesday evening, revealing he had stepped up negotiations with crossbenchers but had ruled out a deal with the Greens. A key sticking point Tasmania politics continues to be major parties backing a new $1 billion stadium in Hobart, which the Greens and some independents oppose.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Thousands march on parliament in rare teachers strike
Thousands of educators have walked off the job in the largest teachers strike in a state's history, marking their first industrial action in 16 years. Holding a sea of placards, educators on Wednesday marched on state parliament in Brisbane demanding better pay and conditions after government negotiations broke down. The march is among 30 rallies held across Queensland after more than 50,000 Queensland Teachers Union members voted to strike for the first time since 2009. Almost 600,000 state primary and high school students have been affected by Wednesday's industrial action. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek was hopeful of returning to negotiations after talks collapsed following 18 meetings with the union in the last five months. The union in June rejected the latest offer of three per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent salary increases respectively over the next three years, and says a new deal must have better conditions along with nation-leading salaries. "If we accept the state wages policy, it actually takes us to the lowest paid teachers in the country," union president Cresta Richardson said. "We can afford an Olympic Games but we can't afford to pay our teachers properly, come on." The strike action was also part of a campaign for safer classrooms and solutions to a teacher shortage, it said. "Together, teachers and school leaders will write a new chapter in Queensland's history books and remind the government just how valuable we are to education in our state schools," the union said on Instagram. Terry Evans retired after being a teacher for more than 20 years but decided to march on Wednesday after the government's latest wage offer. "Like most people, I think it's piss poor. It's a ridiculous offer," he told AAP. The teachers union will reportedly vote on Wednesday to decide whether to take further industrial action. Opposition Leader Steven Miles was among a handful of Labor MPs joining the march to parliament on Wednesday. "They were promised nation-leading wages," he told AAP. "I think we have the best teachers in the country and they should be appreciated for it." Mr Langbroek on Wednesday said the government would continue to negotiate in good faith and was hopeful of meeting again with the union this week. "Our second offer to the union ... would see them at $135,000 which would make them No.1 in the country," he said. "I want to reassure parents, teachers and students that we're confident we can come to a negotiated settlement. "It is costly for the people taking this industrial action. They lose a day's pay." Peak body Queensland Council of Unions urged parents to support the action, keep their kids at home and "stand with teachers in their fight for the future of education". Thousands of educators have walked off the job in the largest teachers strike in a state's history, marking their first industrial action in 16 years. Holding a sea of placards, educators on Wednesday marched on state parliament in Brisbane demanding better pay and conditions after government negotiations broke down. The march is among 30 rallies held across Queensland after more than 50,000 Queensland Teachers Union members voted to strike for the first time since 2009. Almost 600,000 state primary and high school students have been affected by Wednesday's industrial action. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek was hopeful of returning to negotiations after talks collapsed following 18 meetings with the union in the last five months. The union in June rejected the latest offer of three per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent salary increases respectively over the next three years, and says a new deal must have better conditions along with nation-leading salaries. "If we accept the state wages policy, it actually takes us to the lowest paid teachers in the country," union president Cresta Richardson said. "We can afford an Olympic Games but we can't afford to pay our teachers properly, come on." The strike action was also part of a campaign for safer classrooms and solutions to a teacher shortage, it said. "Together, teachers and school leaders will write a new chapter in Queensland's history books and remind the government just how valuable we are to education in our state schools," the union said on Instagram. Terry Evans retired after being a teacher for more than 20 years but decided to march on Wednesday after the government's latest wage offer. "Like most people, I think it's piss poor. It's a ridiculous offer," he told AAP. The teachers union will reportedly vote on Wednesday to decide whether to take further industrial action. Opposition Leader Steven Miles was among a handful of Labor MPs joining the march to parliament on Wednesday. "They were promised nation-leading wages," he told AAP. "I think we have the best teachers in the country and they should be appreciated for it." Mr Langbroek on Wednesday said the government would continue to negotiate in good faith and was hopeful of meeting again with the union this week. "Our second offer to the union ... would see them at $135,000 which would make them No.1 in the country," he said. "I want to reassure parents, teachers and students that we're confident we can come to a negotiated settlement. "It is costly for the people taking this industrial action. They lose a day's pay." Peak body Queensland Council of Unions urged parents to support the action, keep their kids at home and "stand with teachers in their fight for the future of education". Thousands of educators have walked off the job in the largest teachers strike in a state's history, marking their first industrial action in 16 years. Holding a sea of placards, educators on Wednesday marched on state parliament in Brisbane demanding better pay and conditions after government negotiations broke down. The march is among 30 rallies held across Queensland after more than 50,000 Queensland Teachers Union members voted to strike for the first time since 2009. Almost 600,000 state primary and high school students have been affected by Wednesday's industrial action. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek was hopeful of returning to negotiations after talks collapsed following 18 meetings with the union in the last five months. The union in June rejected the latest offer of three per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent salary increases respectively over the next three years, and says a new deal must have better conditions along with nation-leading salaries. "If we accept the state wages policy, it actually takes us to the lowest paid teachers in the country," union president Cresta Richardson said. "We can afford an Olympic Games but we can't afford to pay our teachers properly, come on." The strike action was also part of a campaign for safer classrooms and solutions to a teacher shortage, it said. "Together, teachers and school leaders will write a new chapter in Queensland's history books and remind the government just how valuable we are to education in our state schools," the union said on Instagram. Terry Evans retired after being a teacher for more than 20 years but decided to march on Wednesday after the government's latest wage offer. "Like most people, I think it's piss poor. It's a ridiculous offer," he told AAP. The teachers union will reportedly vote on Wednesday to decide whether to take further industrial action. Opposition Leader Steven Miles was among a handful of Labor MPs joining the march to parliament on Wednesday. "They were promised nation-leading wages," he told AAP. "I think we have the best teachers in the country and they should be appreciated for it." Mr Langbroek on Wednesday said the government would continue to negotiate in good faith and was hopeful of meeting again with the union this week. "Our second offer to the union ... would see them at $135,000 which would make them No.1 in the country," he said. "I want to reassure parents, teachers and students that we're confident we can come to a negotiated settlement. "It is costly for the people taking this industrial action. They lose a day's pay." Peak body Queensland Council of Unions urged parents to support the action, keep their kids at home and "stand with teachers in their fight for the future of education". Thousands of educators have walked off the job in the largest teachers strike in a state's history, marking their first industrial action in 16 years. Holding a sea of placards, educators on Wednesday marched on state parliament in Brisbane demanding better pay and conditions after government negotiations broke down. The march is among 30 rallies held across Queensland after more than 50,000 Queensland Teachers Union members voted to strike for the first time since 2009. Almost 600,000 state primary and high school students have been affected by Wednesday's industrial action. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek was hopeful of returning to negotiations after talks collapsed following 18 meetings with the union in the last five months. The union in June rejected the latest offer of three per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent salary increases respectively over the next three years, and says a new deal must have better conditions along with nation-leading salaries. "If we accept the state wages policy, it actually takes us to the lowest paid teachers in the country," union president Cresta Richardson said. "We can afford an Olympic Games but we can't afford to pay our teachers properly, come on." The strike action was also part of a campaign for safer classrooms and solutions to a teacher shortage, it said. "Together, teachers and school leaders will write a new chapter in Queensland's history books and remind the government just how valuable we are to education in our state schools," the union said on Instagram. Terry Evans retired after being a teacher for more than 20 years but decided to march on Wednesday after the government's latest wage offer. "Like most people, I think it's piss poor. It's a ridiculous offer," he told AAP. The teachers union will reportedly vote on Wednesday to decide whether to take further industrial action. Opposition Leader Steven Miles was among a handful of Labor MPs joining the march to parliament on Wednesday. "They were promised nation-leading wages," he told AAP. "I think we have the best teachers in the country and they should be appreciated for it." Mr Langbroek on Wednesday said the government would continue to negotiate in good faith and was hopeful of meeting again with the union this week. "Our second offer to the union ... would see them at $135,000 which would make them No.1 in the country," he said. "I want to reassure parents, teachers and students that we're confident we can come to a negotiated settlement. "It is costly for the people taking this industrial action. They lose a day's pay." Peak body Queensland Council of Unions urged parents to support the action, keep their kids at home and "stand with teachers in their fight for the future of education".
