Latest news with #LNP
News.com.au
10 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Queensland teachers to strike en-masse for the first time in 16 years over pay
Tens of thousands of Queensland teachers won't be turning up to school on August 6 in the first industrial action taken by members of the union since 2009. The Queensland Teacher's Union (QTU) has been in talks with the Crisafulli-led LNP government for months over a pay dispute, which came to loggerheads in June when the QTU outright rejected the government's offer of incremental salary increases by 3, 2.5 and 2.5 per cent over three years. Almost 37,000 teachers out of the 38,243 members of the union voted to go ahead with the strike, in an overwhelming display of support for the cause. The remaining, non-unionised teachers, who make up roughly two thirds of the entire state's teaching force, will remain at work. QTU President Cresta Richardson says staffing of schools is an ongoing issue, which could have dire effects on communities and families. 'The teacher shortage crisis is real, and at a breaking point,' she said. 'Numbers don't lie. Schools are short on teachers, our members are working longer hours unpaid, and we have cost of living and inflation to account for. These are genuine, widespread issues that won't solve themselves. 'We are not doing this for ourselves. Teachers and school leaders are resources, and the government needs to support our schools. Parents, caregivers and students deserve what their taxes pay for, not government excuses.' Speaking to the Courier Mail, a Brisbane teacher named Damion Douglass said educators in Queensland schools had been 'carrying a broken system' on their backs, 'while being told to sit tight and smile through it'. 'We've spoken. We've written letters. We've marched in unity. We've stayed late, showed up tired, covered the gaps, and absorbed the pressure. And in return, we get a reminder that our pay will be docked if we make noise,' he said.
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
State's teachers to walk out over pay
Tens of thousands of Queensland teachers won't be turning up to school on August 6 in the first industrial action taken by members of the union since 2009. The Queensland Teacher's Union (QTU) has been in talks with the Crisafulli-led LNP government for months over a pay dispute, which came to loggerheads in June when the QTU outright rejected the government's offer of incremental salary increases by 3, 2.5 and 2.5 per cent over three years. Almost 37,000 teachers out of the 38,243 members of the union voted to go ahead with the strike, in an overwhelming display of support for the cause. The remaining, non-unionised teachers, who make up roughly two thirds of the entire state's teaching force, will remain at work. QTU President Cresta Richardson says staffing of schools is an ongoing issue, which could have dire effects on communities and families. Schools in Queenland are consistently struggling to fill teaching roles. NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall Credit: News Corp Australia 'The teacher shortage crisis is real, and at a breaking point,' she said. 'Numbers don't lie. Schools are short on teachers, our members are working longer hours unpaid, and we have cost of living and inflation to account for. These are genuine, widespread issues that won't solve themselves. 'We are not doing this for ourselves. Teachers and school leaders are resources, and the government needs to support our schools. Parents, caregivers and students deserve what their taxes pay for, not government excuses.' Speaking to the Courier Mail, a Brisbane teacher named Damion Douglass said educators in Queensland schools had been 'carrying a broken system' on their backs, 'while being told to sit tight and smile through it'. 'We've spoken. We've written letters. We've marched in unity. We've stayed late, showed up tired, covered the gaps, and absorbed the pressure. And in return, we get a reminder that our pay will be docked if we make noise,' he said. Schools will be open with limited capacity on August 6, and negotiations continue between the QTU and the Queensland Government.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Controversial reason schools will shut down across one entire Aussie state
Thousands of teachers are planning to shut down every school in one Australian state in an attempt to pry more money out of the government. Teachers will perform a 24-hour work stoppage across all Queensland state schools on Wednesday August 6, which will result in students being unable to attend classes. The strike will be the Queensland Teachers Union's first in 16 years and has been approved by an 'overwhelmingly' positive internal vote amongst its members. Any teachers who are not in the union will still attend work on the day but those who are members said they were left with 'no other option'. Of the 38,243 total votes cast 36,583 approved the strike after the government offered a salary increase which the union rejected in June. This proposal would have seen state teachers receive an immediate pay rise of 3 per cent followed by another 2.5 per cent increase each year for two years. It took 17 meetings over the course of five months to get to that initial offer, Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said. Shadow Education Minister Di Farmer accused the LNP of prioritising politics over listening to the concerns of teachers. Ms Farmer wants 'nation-leading' pay and conditions offered to state teachers. 'For dedicated teachers to walk off the job shows just how serious they are about this insulting offer from the government,' she said. 'The LNP are too busy playing politics, while our teachers are forced to fight for nation-leading pay and conditions. 'Why won't the Premier and his Education Minister back them with nation-leading pay and conditions?' Mr Langbroek said his government is committed to remaining at the negotiating table until the issue is resolved. 'The Government has requested conciliation through the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to progress an agreement,' he said. 'Student safety will remain the priority and principals will inform parents about impacts on their school community.' Queensland Teachers Union President Cresta Richardson reaffirmed her union's strike is a protected action in response to the Crisafulli government's failure to finalise a deal. Brisbane teacher Damion Douglass said the strike had to happen. 'This is about teachers carrying a broken system on our backs while being told to sit tight and smile through it,' he told the Courier Mail. 'We've spoken. We've written letters. We've marched in unity. We've stayed late, showed up tired, covered the gaps, and absorbed the pressure. And in return, we get a reminder that our pay will be docked if we make noise.' School principals will be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of students during the strike. Concerned parents have already begun reaching out to schools in an attempt to make sense of what will happen if teachers do not show up for work. There are 48,642 members in the Queensland Teachers Union and many will attend a rally at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the day of the strike.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
David Crisafulli claims drop in Queensland crime victim rates but Labor says he's cherrypicking data
Queensland's LNP government has released figures claiming a substantial drop in the state's victims of crime rate, as the Labor opposition accuses it of cherrypicking data. During last year's state election campaign, the premier, David Crisafulli, staked his leadership on reducing the crime victim rates each year of his first term in government. He initially vowed to resign if crime victim numbers did not reduce under a government led by him, but later walked that back, claiming that he was referring to per capita rates, and not the overall number of victims. The government released police statistics on Tuesday, which Crisafulli claimed show crime victim rates had fallen by almost 6% in the first six months of the 2025 calendar year, compared to the first six months of 2024. He said there were 75,084 victims in the first half of 2024 compared to 72,588 this year. This represented about a 5.7% fall when adjusted for population growth. Crisafulli said he had done 'a little better' than his electoral commitment. 'A reduction of five and a bit per cent, it can only be described as the first step in the journey, because we are still off such historically high bases,' he said. 'So if you're asking whether or not I'm popping champagne corks, we're a long way off that.' Sign up: AU Breaking News email The state's victims of crime data is particularly significant politically, because during last year's election campaign the premier vowed to resign if the number went up. But these numbers do not include the largest category of crime captured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics – 'other theft' – which measures offending like shoplifting. There were more than 150,000 victims of 'other theft' in the latest ABS data, from 2023, more than half the overall number. More than half of other theft offences occurred at a retail location, such as shoplifting, but the category also includes a broad range of other offences. 'Robbery is down 13.2%. Break and enters are down 12%. Stolen cars are down 6.4%,' Crisafulli said. 'Just to be clear, the information that we are presenting is Queensland police service data. It's been there since 2001, so it is apples with apples.' In an estimates hearing on Tuesday, the Labor leader, Steven Miles, accused the government of cherrypicking victim numbers. 'Tens of thousands of Queenslanders are no longer considered victims in the eyes of David Crisafulli,' he said. 'His victim data isn't worth the paper that it's printed on, because he's cut corners, cherrypicked, and removed offences that should matter. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Victims of other theft could be the local independent grocer who has had stock swiped from their shelves, or someone who's had items stolen from their car.' Crisafulli said the commonwealth methodology included crimes 'that don't relate to a victim'. 'You're counting a street sign as a victim of crime,' he said. The premier said the broader statistics 'will be released' and the new numbers were simply an 'additional tool – so not to replace it'. The new data also revealed the effect of the state's brand new statute banning coercive control. There were just 42 registered victims of the crime since it became an enforceable offence in May. The release of the latest crime statistics came as the government announced a deal with the police union, hailed as the 'largest ever' by the police union general president, Shane Prior. Police would receive an increase in base pay of at least 8% over the next three years, plus an $8,000 'retention bonus' and additional bonuses for working in a regional or rural area, or for working night or evening shifts.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Crime down but govt accused of cherry picking data
Victims of crime numbers have fallen in data released by a state that launched a controversial youth justice crackdown, with claims of cherry-picking figures. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli revealed police data for the first six months of 2025 showing victim numbers dropping by 5.7 per cent overall compared to 2024, saying the state had begun to "turn things around" under his Liberal National government. Mr Crisafulli had vowed to resign if victims of crime numbers did not fall by the end of his term during his 2024 election campaign. Data released on Tuesday revealed victim numbers across 12 offences including murder, assault, robbery, coercive control, break and enter and stealing cars had dropped from 75,084 to 72,588, contributing to the overall 5.7 per cent decrease. Yet the figures released by the LNP government did not include "other theft". "This is a very, very small step ... but it is proof that if you do back the police, if you do put in place those resources, if you do focus on early intervention, you can turn things around," the premier said. Data revealed break-ins were 12 per cent lower in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Overall there were 23,299 victims of break and enters statewide between January and June 2024, dropping to 21,042 this year. Robbery victims fell to 1077 this year compared to 1211 in the same period of 2024, marking a 13.2 per cent drop. More than 9500 Queenslanders had cars stolen in the first half of 2024 compared to 9213 in 2025, showing a 6.4 per cent decrease. The Labor opposition slammed the lack of data on "other theft", saying it meant thousands of Queenslanders were no longer considered victims under the LNP government. "His victim data isn't worth the paper that it's printed on because he's cut corners, cherry-picked, and removed offences that should matter," opposition leader Steven Miles said. "Victims of other theft could be the local independent grocer who has had stock swiped from their shelves, or someone who's had items stolen from their car." Mr Crisafulli defended not including "other theft", saying the offence may not relate to a person. "I wouldn't be standing here saying to you that someone who's pinched a marker from the side of the road, that's not a victim ... it's a crime," he said. The LNP government won the election on a tough-on-crime approach, introducing its controversial "adult crime, adult time" legislation that ensures youth offenders face mandatory life sentences for murder and manslaughter. It also doubled the maximum sentences for other offences, increasing jail terms for break and enter, car thefts, sexual assault, attempted murder and rape. However, the state government is yet to release its expert advice on the laws that have drawn criticism from youth advocates who claim it breaches human rights. The state budget revealed the government was spending $5.2 billion over the next four years on its crime crackdown. Victims of crime numbers have fallen in data released by a state that launched a controversial youth justice crackdown, with claims of cherry-picking figures. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli revealed police data for the first six months of 2025 showing victim numbers dropping by 5.7 per cent overall compared to 2024, saying the state had begun to "turn things around" under his Liberal National government. Mr Crisafulli had vowed to resign if victims of crime numbers did not fall by the end of his term during his 2024 election campaign. Data released on Tuesday revealed victim numbers across 12 offences including murder, assault, robbery, coercive control, break and enter and stealing cars had dropped from 75,084 to 72,588, contributing to the overall 5.7 per cent decrease. Yet the figures released by the LNP government did not include "other theft". "This is a very, very small step ... but it is proof that if you do back the police, if you do put in place those resources, if you do focus on early intervention, you can turn things around," the premier said. Data revealed break-ins were 12 per cent lower in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Overall there were 23,299 victims of break and enters statewide between January and June 2024, dropping to 21,042 this year. Robbery victims fell to 1077 this year compared to 1211 in the same period of 2024, marking a 13.2 per cent drop. More than 9500 Queenslanders had cars stolen in the first half of 2024 compared to 9213 in 2025, showing a 6.4 per cent decrease. The Labor opposition slammed the lack of data on "other theft", saying it meant thousands of Queenslanders were no longer considered victims under the LNP government. "His victim data isn't worth the paper that it's printed on because he's cut corners, cherry-picked, and removed offences that should matter," opposition leader Steven Miles said. "Victims of other theft could be the local independent grocer who has had stock swiped from their shelves, or someone who's had items stolen from their car." Mr Crisafulli defended not including "other theft", saying the offence may not relate to a person. "I wouldn't be standing here saying to you that someone who's pinched a marker from the side of the road, that's not a victim ... it's a crime," he said. The LNP government won the election on a tough-on-crime approach, introducing its controversial "adult crime, adult time" legislation that ensures youth offenders face mandatory life sentences for murder and manslaughter. It also doubled the maximum sentences for other offences, increasing jail terms for break and enter, car thefts, sexual assault, attempted murder and rape. However, the state government is yet to release its expert advice on the laws that have drawn criticism from youth advocates who claim it breaches human rights. The state budget revealed the government was spending $5.2 billion over the next four years on its crime crackdown. Victims of crime numbers have fallen in data released by a state that launched a controversial youth justice crackdown, with claims of cherry-picking figures. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli revealed police data for the first six months of 2025 showing victim numbers dropping by 5.7 per cent overall compared to 2024, saying the state had begun to "turn things around" under his Liberal National government. Mr Crisafulli had vowed to resign if victims of crime numbers did not fall by the end of his term during his 2024 election campaign. Data released on Tuesday revealed victim numbers across 12 offences including murder, assault, robbery, coercive control, break and enter and stealing cars had dropped from 75,084 to 72,588, contributing to the overall 5.7 per cent decrease. Yet the figures released by the LNP government did not include "other theft". "This is a very, very small step ... but it is proof that if you do back the police, if you do put in place those resources, if you do focus on early intervention, you can turn things around," the premier said. Data revealed break-ins were 12 per cent lower in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Overall there were 23,299 victims of break and enters statewide between January and June 2024, dropping to 21,042 this year. Robbery victims fell to 1077 this year compared to 1211 in the same period of 2024, marking a 13.2 per cent drop. More than 9500 Queenslanders had cars stolen in the first half of 2024 compared to 9213 in 2025, showing a 6.4 per cent decrease. The Labor opposition slammed the lack of data on "other theft", saying it meant thousands of Queenslanders were no longer considered victims under the LNP government. "His victim data isn't worth the paper that it's printed on because he's cut corners, cherry-picked, and removed offences that should matter," opposition leader Steven Miles said. "Victims of other theft could be the local independent grocer who has had stock swiped from their shelves, or someone who's had items stolen from their car." Mr Crisafulli defended not including "other theft", saying the offence may not relate to a person. "I wouldn't be standing here saying to you that someone who's pinched a marker from the side of the road, that's not a victim ... it's a crime," he said. The LNP government won the election on a tough-on-crime approach, introducing its controversial "adult crime, adult time" legislation that ensures youth offenders face mandatory life sentences for murder and manslaughter. It also doubled the maximum sentences for other offences, increasing jail terms for break and enter, car thefts, sexual assault, attempted murder and rape. However, the state government is yet to release its expert advice on the laws that have drawn criticism from youth advocates who claim it breaches human rights. The state budget revealed the government was spending $5.2 billion over the next four years on its crime crackdown. Victims of crime numbers have fallen in data released by a state that launched a controversial youth justice crackdown, with claims of cherry-picking figures. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli revealed police data for the first six months of 2025 showing victim numbers dropping by 5.7 per cent overall compared to 2024, saying the state had begun to "turn things around" under his Liberal National government. Mr Crisafulli had vowed to resign if victims of crime numbers did not fall by the end of his term during his 2024 election campaign. Data released on Tuesday revealed victim numbers across 12 offences including murder, assault, robbery, coercive control, break and enter and stealing cars had dropped from 75,084 to 72,588, contributing to the overall 5.7 per cent decrease. Yet the figures released by the LNP government did not include "other theft". "This is a very, very small step ... but it is proof that if you do back the police, if you do put in place those resources, if you do focus on early intervention, you can turn things around," the premier said. Data revealed break-ins were 12 per cent lower in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Overall there were 23,299 victims of break and enters statewide between January and June 2024, dropping to 21,042 this year. Robbery victims fell to 1077 this year compared to 1211 in the same period of 2024, marking a 13.2 per cent drop. More than 9500 Queenslanders had cars stolen in the first half of 2024 compared to 9213 in 2025, showing a 6.4 per cent decrease. The Labor opposition slammed the lack of data on "other theft", saying it meant thousands of Queenslanders were no longer considered victims under the LNP government. "His victim data isn't worth the paper that it's printed on because he's cut corners, cherry-picked, and removed offences that should matter," opposition leader Steven Miles said. "Victims of other theft could be the local independent grocer who has had stock swiped from their shelves, or someone who's had items stolen from their car." Mr Crisafulli defended not including "other theft", saying the offence may not relate to a person. "I wouldn't be standing here saying to you that someone who's pinched a marker from the side of the road, that's not a victim ... it's a crime," he said. The LNP government won the election on a tough-on-crime approach, introducing its controversial "adult crime, adult time" legislation that ensures youth offenders face mandatory life sentences for murder and manslaughter. It also doubled the maximum sentences for other offences, increasing jail terms for break and enter, car thefts, sexual assault, attempted murder and rape. However, the state government is yet to release its expert advice on the laws that have drawn criticism from youth advocates who claim it breaches human rights. The state budget revealed the government was spending $5.2 billion over the next four years on its crime crackdown.
