2014 Annual Report NSW Teachers Federation

eachers working TOGETHER

The 2014 Annual Report of the NSW Teachers Federation

Jenny Diamond General Secretary Julie Moon Editor and Publications Officer (relieving) Acknowledgments In addition to the contributors, the NSW Teachers Federation wishes to thank the following for assistance given in the publishing of this annual report: Acting General Secretary John Dixon Designer Grace Hughes Deputy Editor (temporary) Kerri Carr Secretary Carol Leeming Cartoons Greg Gaul Printing Print & Mail 23–25 Meeks Road Marrickville 2204 (02) 9519 8268

ISBN 978-1-875699-00-1 14110 Contents

Presidential Officers’ report 5 General Secretary’s Report 9 Aboriginal 15 Accounts 17 Affiliations 40 Centre for Professional Learning 42 Committees 43 Corrective Services 47 Library 48 Multicultural 52 Officers and Executive 54 Online Communications 56 Records Management 58 Recruitment and engagement of members 59 Research and Industrial 62 Special Interest Groups 65 TAFE 68 Trade Union Training and professional development 70 Welfare 72 Women’s Action Program 76

Presidential Officers’ report

Schools funding campaign it intended not only to refuse to fund the full transition period but also to dismantle the essential architecture Federation has been prominent in the national cam- of the Gonski funding model. The Government stated paign to secure a fairer, needs-based school funding that it would amend the Australian Education Act to model. Members have been mobilised in unprecedented remove what it labelled “prescriptive and control” fea- numbers in order to prosecute perhaps our most im- tures for states and territories. This essentially would portant campaign in more than 40 years. Throughout allow any state and territory government to refuse to 2013 and 2014, Federation members have engaged in contribute its share and even allow a state or territory community campaigning with even greater urgency government to cut its education budget. given the threats to Gonski schools funding posed by Teachers reacted with some scepticism to the at- the election of a federal Coalition government. tempts by Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne to distract attention from the issue of funding with his announcement of a curriculum review and the need for “independent” public schools. Federation members supported the Australian Edu- cation Union’s (AEU’s) Vans to Canberra strategy that started in early February 2014 and which concluded with a media event in Canberra on March 18, 2014 in the lead-up to the May Budget. In communities across NSW, school based events were held in support of Gonksi with a great deal of local media interest generated. Federation encouraged members and school communities to write a submission to the Senate Select Committee on School Funding as well as appearing before it and giving both written and oral evidence. The May 13, 2014 Federal Budget revealed that the Victorian teachers John Bell and Anne Ryan, Coomealla HS teacher- Coalition Government would not fund the fifth and librarian Jackie Bertalli and daughter Liliana with the Gonski torch on sixth years of Gonksi schools funding. The Budget the George-Chaffey Bridge on the NSW-Victoria border. was a savage attack on all education sectors, schools, The essential elements of the funding model recom- vocational education and training (VET) and higher mended by the review panel chaired by David Gonski education. It revealed cuts of at least $1.81 billion included an explicit Schooling Resources Standard for from public schools, no new funding for students with all Australian schools which incorporated six loadings disability and indexing funding from 2018 to just CPI, that took into account school profiles based on socio- effectively a cut in real terms. economic status, Aboriginal enrolments, English lan- Federation’s post-Budget response included a tar- guage proficiency, disability, isolation and school size. geted seat campaign as well as calling on members A six-year transition model was proposed to enable all throughout NSW to send protests to their local MPs. schools to be lifted to the minimum resource standard. At the 2013 Annual Conference, Federation launched Salaries the newly wrapped Gonski vans at Darling Harbour which went on to campaign around NSW communities In October 2013, TAFE teachers and related employees in term 3 in the lead up to the Federal election. as well as teachers at Bradfield College secured salary In an attempt to politically diffuse the school fund- increases following approval of a new enterprise agree- ing issue, on August 2, 2013, then Opposition leader ment by the Fair Work Commission. This followed a Tony Abbott announced to the Australian public that ballot of TAFE employees in which 87 per voted to the Coalition was on a “unity ticket” with the ALP on support the negotiated agreement. The salary increase schools funding. Federation immediately exposed the was backdated to July 1, 2013. deceit that Abbott, at best, was only promising a four The agreement: year model that would deliver less than one-third of • maintains and protects current working conditions, the funding. This became the central focus of Federa- including existing administrative arrangements tion’s September federal election campaign. • allows a trial of the new positions of Education After the election, the newly elected Coalition Support Officer, Assessor and Head Teacher 3 and Government attempted a series of policy back-flips on provided protections and safeguards around the use schools funding which received an extraordinary level of of the new positions media scrutiny. The Abbott Government signalled that • established a Joint Management Committee with 5 equal AEU NSW representation and TAFE to moni- A campaign against the public sector wages policy will be tor the trial implemented in the lead-up to the March 2015 state election. • secured the maximum salary increase available under the State Government’s Public Sector Wages Stop TAFE Cuts campaign Policy. School and OCAA members voted overwhelmingly to This year has seen a Senate Inquiry into TAFE, a House of Representatives Inquiry into TAFE, a Par- endorse a three-year salaries and conditions award from liamentary Committee Report into Skills Shortages, January 2014 that provides annual salary increases, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform preserves current working conditions, and, critically, Taskforce undertaken by the Australian Department protects the teaching qualifications and standards that of Industry, and a NSW Independent Pricing and underpin professional status. Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Review into pricing VET The recommendation from Executive was supported under the State Government’s Smart and Skilled policy. by 96 per cent of those attending meetings held at 209 All these inquiries and reviews reflect the dramatic venues across the state on December 3, 2013. changes that the VET sector is facing. Meetings condemned Government’s legislative Federation has worked closely with the Australian changes that impose a salary cap of 2.5 per cent per Education Union (AEU) to support the national Stop annum on public sector employees through the state TAFE Cuts campaign. wages policy. Last October saw the completion of enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) covering TAFE teachers and related employees. The EBA includes a trial of new paraprofessional roles and a new head teacher classification. Federation and TAFE have jointly engaged the University of Sydney’s Workplace Relations Centre to undertake research of the trial which will culminate in June 2015. The number of full time permanent TAFE teachers who have left the system through redundancy has reached more than 400. Many more have retired or resigned, not to be replaced, but it is almost impossible to quantify the numbers of part time casual teachers Federation members at Burwood RSL endorsed the new school who have lost their jobs as a result of funding cuts salaries award. already being made to TAFE. However, the national Stop TAFE Cuts campaign Key features of the new award include: continues to grow. Federation’s Stop TAFE Cuts van • a new professional development framework that will has traversed the state and is used to create an instant replace the Teacher Assessment Review Schedule stall at markets, fairs and festivals. Activists, wearing (TARS), Executive Assessment Review Schedule their Stop TAFE Cuts t-shirts, have leafleted railway (EARS) and Principals Assessment Review Sched- stations and outside community cabinets. A series of ule (PARS) which will be jointly developed by the leaflets, posters and other resources are being rolled Department of Education and Communities (DEC) out to TAFE and school members, students, parents and Federation and community. The campaign has generated national, • maximum annual increases allowable under the state and local media interests. This should intensify public service wages policy discounted by the in- as the campaign to defend TAFE grows. creases in the Commonwealth’s superannuation Federation, in close collaboration where possible with the guarantee levy — 2.27 per cent, 2.0 per cent and AEU, has also made extensive use of social media including 2.15 per cent — for the next three years the www.stopTAFECuts.com.au website and Facebook page. • from 2016, classroom teachers will earn a projected $45,000 more for working nine years on the new 7-step pay scale, compared with nine years on the current 9-step scale • from 2016, a new, higher classification with a salary over $100,000 for teachers who wish to continue working at classroom teacher level rather than seeking promotion to an executive position • protection for the status of small schools by retaining the position of principal, with current release time for those principals also preserved. If the NSW Government fails in its attempts to avoid paying the employer’s contribution to the increased superannuation guarantee levy the full 2.5 per cent per annum will be paid to all teachers in all sectors. (Note: At the time of writing, a challenge to the High School staffing Court was being considered by NSW public sector unions following the Government’s success in the The achievement of the current school staffing agree- NSW Supreme Court on May 6, 2014). ment (2012–2016) is proving crucial in the current 6 context where state and federal governments continue to be filled on a temporary basis. As Gonski funding to implement policies that aim to devolve responsi- is ‘built-in’ to a school’s recurrent budget, Federation bility for staffing and resourcing to the school level. successfully negotiated for additional positions to be While the staffing agreement protects class sizes, filled on a permanent rather than temporary basis. permanency in teacher employment, and the trans- In the past year, Federation has continued to pursue fer system that ensures teacher supply to all parts of a range of staffing issues through the joint monitoring the state, the Local Schools, Local Decisions (LSLD) and review committee. These include the auditing policy continues to threaten the staffing formulae of unfilled permanent vacancies to ensure they are that determine a school’s teacher staffing entitlement. filled permanently, problems with the Department’s Prior to LSLD, NSW governments have generally recruitment website and better recognising and re- accepted their fundamental responsibility to guaran- warding the work of temporary teachers in rural and tee the number of classroom teacher, executive and remote schools by granting permanency after two specialist teacher positions through a school entitle- years of service. The latter issue has been included for ment based on student enrolments. While class sizes implementation in the staffing strategies in the Rural policy protects the number of classroom teacher posi- and Remote Education: A blueprint for action. tions, LSLD allows schools to trade off existing execu- In the face of continuing attempts by governments tive and specialist teaching positions for some other to deregulate school staffing and set the ground for staffing purpose, in the name of greater autonomy, longer term cost-cutting, Federation will continue to flexibility and choice. This practice is being encour- support Federation Representatives and Workplace aged through the Empowering Local Schools (ELS) Committees to ensure that the staffing agreement is pilot. The State Government aims to expand this to enacted fairly and properly in their schools. all schools through LSLD. A statewide school staffing system is the proven To counter this threat, in May 2014 Federation negoti- means of ensuring teacher supply, a curriculum ated a set of principles for determining the mix of staff. guarantee, and equity, stability and security for stu- These principles require schools to consider the use of dents. It also ensures security of employment, career additional funding provided through the NSW National mobility and promotions opportunities for teachers. Education Reform Agreement (the Gonski agreement) For these reasons, maintaining such a system will in establishing additional teaching and executive posi- remain a paramount priority for Federation in the tions, instead of trading off existing positions. months and years to come. Importantly, the Department agreed that such additional positions should be filled through permanent Centre for Professional Learning appointment, to provide continuity and stability for students in educational program delivery and to enhance During 2013, the Centre for Professional Learning (CPL) schools’ capacity to recruit and retain teachers. This is offered 21 courses, including one major conference, to a significant advance on the situation that applied in support Federation members in a range of educational the implementation of programs such as the National areas. The courses concentrated on providing back- Partnerships that delivered additional funding for a ground support and understanding for the new NSW limited duration. The temporary nature of these pro- syllabus documents for the Australian curriculum. grams meant the Department required any additional The CPL courses were also designed to be useful teaching positions established with the extra funding across the spectrum of a teacher’s career from the early 7 page which encourages members of the community to post stories about teachers who have had a positive influence on their lives. Maurie Mulheron President Gary Zadkovich Deputy President Joan Lemaire Senior Vice President

An involved discussion at the Grammar K–10 course. years of teaching to the experienced and leadership levels. The CPL offered courses in Surry Hills, Black- town and Newcastle. Evaluations from the courses held in 2013 and early 2014 were overwhelmingly positive. The CPL has continued discussions with major NSW universities to develop partnerships on course presentations and online learning opportunities and is concentrating in 2014 on offering a broader range of professional learning opportunities for members in regional locations. The success of the 2013 program has allowed the CPL to expand course offerings and venues in 2014. Teachers Make a Difference campaign

The First Day commercial screened on TV and in cinemas. In 2012 and 2013 Federation initiated an innovative set of advertisements in a series called Teachers Make a Difference, designed to build support for the teaching profession. Last year Federation made and screened two advertisements for TV and cinema titled First Day and Last Day. The advertisements were directed by acclaimed Australian director Ray Lawrence, famous for the feature films Bliss, Jindabyne and Lantana. The scripts were by writer and social commentator Jane Caro. Following the success of the advertising campaign on television and cinema, Federation commissioned two more advertisements called The Graduate and The Apprentice. These two new advertisements ran on television and in selected cinemas during April 2014. Additional screenings of all of the advertisements will occur throughout the year. Accompanying the new advertisements is a website called Teachers Make a Difference and a Facebook 8 General Secretary’s report Overview of all members. Administrative Officers are elected on a triennial basis by a ballot of the State Council. Officers’ The NSW Teachers Federation proudly asserts itself salaries are aligned with school teacher promotion as a campaigning union, and this has been evident in level salaries. The highest paid positions are those of activities throughout the year. With significant changes President and General Secretary whose salaries equate in both state and federal governments in 2013, public to that of high school principal grade 1 rate ($156,524 policy which strongly supports and properly funds pa). Both the Deputy and Senior Vice Presidents are public education appears to be fading. The actions of paid at primary school principal PP1 rate ($146,376 the Federal Government in particular are a timely re- pa), the Assistant General Secretaries are paid at high minder to Federation members that governments will school deputy principal rate ($122,370 pa) and the not necessarily guarantee quality public education as Administrative Officers are paid at head teacher high a fundamental right for every student, and that strong, school/assistant principal primary rate ($104,888 pa). sustained member and community campaigning will Federation Executive is the committee of manage- be critical in defending that right. The election of a ment for the organisation. As such, and under Federa- conservative, neo-liberal federal government last Sep- tion’s rules, principal responsibility for the management tember has changed the situation for future security of Federation’s financial affairs rests with the Executive. of appropriate funding for public education, includ- Federation supports the findings of the 2013 Aus- ing further privatisation and funding contestability tralian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Union Gover- of the vocational education and training sector. More nance Review, and is reviewing and revising policies recently, with the change of Premier in NSW and the to ensure that strong governance is maintained in a announcement of a “fresh” approach it remains to be consistent and transparent way across the organisation. seen how much commitment there will be to ensure This includes financial training, as a requirement, for the jointly signed Gonski school funding agreement Federation office bearers. is honoured and implemented. More significantly, last term Federation Executive In response to these serious threats to the future of determined that a whole of organisation finance and public education, Federation has focused its finances staffing review be undertaken to ensure that the Fed- to support the important campaigns of the union, eration remains responsive and capable to meet the both short and long term, in the context of a decline challenges ahead, noting as part of its consideration, in membership subscriptions. the recent trends in the nature and size of Federation Federation rules and structures were instituted to membership. The Rules and Structures Restricted Com- ensure that the union is a democratic organisation mittee will undertake work on behalf of Executive to which is strongly connected to, and represented by, develop a proposal for structures and operations which its members. The union’s rules are currently being meet the demands of current and future campaigns rewritten as the Federation juggles membership cover- and also continue to deliver effectively on behalf of age in both state and federal jurisdictions, and ensures members. The review will need to consider external compliance with industrial legislation at both levels. political and industrial legislation changes, for example, In doing so, the challenge has been to ensure that the role of the Fair Work Commission, and how these the democratic decision making forums of the union impact on Federation’s policies and operations. — Annual Conference, State Council and Executive The committee will report back to Executive later — remain pre-eminent in any revised rules, and con- this year. Early in 2015 Council will need to consider tinue to determine Federation policy and campaign the extent of proposed recommendations, and ensure priorities. Representatives to these forums and bodies that these will best serve Federation’s principles, values consist of Federation members elected by their peers. and capacity. It is intended that any recommendations Regional and statewide teachers associations elect for changes in organisational structures, finance and their representatives to the State Council, and Execu- staffing will be implemented prior to 2016. tive consists of four Vice Presidents, two Custodians, one member from the Aboriginal Members’ Roll and Finances eight Association Representatives who are elected by and from the State Council, together with the three The budget for 2014 was adopted by Council earlier Presidential Officers. this year. It supports a strong commitment to cam- All Officers of the union come from the ranks of paigns in the interests of both members and public the members, and are elected by members to those education more generally. Changes in the political positions, and not by appointment. The positions of and industrial landscapes are reflected in the member- President, Deputy President and Senior Vice President ship subscriptions, which remain Federation’s prime are elected on a biennial basis through a statewide ballot source of income. 9 This year Federation has drawn upon its general tended one of Federation’s beginning teachers con- reserves to better meet these challenges, while ensur- ferences or courses held over the past year remains ing that Federation assets are properly maintained. positive. Approximately 70 per cent of participants With the election of a federal government determined are new members who joined in order to attend a to evade and avoid any responsibility for investment course. The quality of the programs is also a draw card: in public education, it may be likely over the next these courses have a strong track record in not only few years that those reserves could be further called recruiting, but retaining new teachers as members. upon to support these vital campaigns. Federation has also delivered a similar number of new Since the establishment of the Public Education teacher seminars across the state over the year. These Fund, the monies from the fund have been used to events provide a great opportunity for new teacher positively promote and advertise the achievements of members to develop a connection with their union. teachers, students in public schools and TAFE colleges. Approximately $1.5 million is available to Federation from the fund this year for the purpose of promoting and supporting public education. The Teachers Make a Difference advertising campaign launched last year was well received by members and the broader community. This advertising realises and completes the implementation of an earlier Annual Conference decision on the promotion of public education. A second pair of advertisements screened in cinemas and on television earlier this year. Federation now has more than 75 per cent of its membership on direct debit membership payments and this percentage continues to grow. The continued use of a direct debit procedure ensures greater security for Federation’s financial independence. Campaigning for the future of public education funding at the Coona- barabran Beginning Teachers Conference last year. Membership and recruitment The strength and success of these conferences over Recruitment remains a major and ongoing campaign the past decade confirms the importance of this strat- priority for Federation. While the overall membership egy, and is in part an acknowledgment of the energy level is similar to that of recent years, the continu- and skills of Officers and support staff involved. ing impact of member retirements across the “baby Federation continues to present graduate seminars boomer” generation becomes clearer each month. to final year student teachers. These seminars have Membership data for the past year continues to reflect a strategic purpose, not only for the information a recent phenomenon of an increase in the temporary provided about employment with the Department of full time category, rather than in full time permanent Education and Communities, but also about the pivotal membership. Membership figures and categories role Federation plays as the union for all NSW public continue to be monitored closely. education teachers. While many student teachers join Government policy of cutting funds to TAFE is Federation online, these seminars also provide a valu- already impacting strongly in the sector with course able opportunity to recruit new teachers. cuts and closures. This has led to an overall, substan- Campaigns tial decline in TAFE membership; most particularly in the category of full time permanent membership. Federation provided submissions to a number of Part time casual teachers are not necessarily signing parliamentary inquiries over the year, both state and up in sufficient numbers to replace those losses, nor federal. While the issues were of great significance for do the subscription rates equate to the membership both members and students across public education, rates paid by full time employees. Further, as TAFE these inquiries were often announced with very tight NSW seeks to compete within a pro-private provider deadlines. Federation contributed to several inquiries environment, further casualisation of teacher positions into vocational education and training, including a seems likely, and the recruitment of part time casual state inquiry about TAFE cuts. As well as the union’s teachers becomes a greater challenge. Nonetheless, formal statement to the inquiry, many Federation Federation has ensured that the sector is well served members attended regional events to highlight the in its Organiser allocation. TAFE Organisers continue attacks on TAFE funding. This active involvement to recruit within the sector, and the active, public face was noticed and understood by many in the broader of union campaigning against TAFE cuts is a powerful community, and on behalf of Federation members, I reminder of the importance of the union as a voice extend thanks for this support. for public education and members. Federation also encouraged members and work- Many associations have conducted welcoming places to make individual submissions to the various events for new members in support of Federation’s inquiries, including the further “review” initiated by recruitment and activism program. These activities the Federal Government during term 1 regarding enable Federation not only to recruit new members, the nature of the Gonski schools funding reforms. but to advise members about correct membership The posturing and threatening statements from the categories and to update membership details. Prime Minister sadly indicate that the schools funding The feedback from early career teachers who at- campaign is far from over. 10 trial representation directly through its Welfare and Industrial sections and/or through its legal firm, Federation Law. Where appropriate, Federation uses external legal support both for advice and representation in court matters. The Welfare/Communications section continues to provide advice and assistance to support members at times of greatest need. Centre for Professional Learning

Gonski supporters travelled to the Prime Minister’s electorate by ferry on March 16. Late in 2011 Federation made a written submission to the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into the provisions of the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Amendment Bill. Early in 2012 Federation Officers addressed the Inquiry hearing in defence of the union’s right to campaign on issues without funding limits attached. The legislation was somewhat amended to acknowledge community campaigning; nonetheless it was passed, such that its potential impact could be that only wealthy individuals would not be limited in elec- toral spending or communications during an election campaign. Subsequently, Unions NSW and a number of unions including Federation initiated a joint legal challenge as to the constitutionality of the legislation. The matter was heard in the High Court of Austra- lia in November 2013, and a number of other states as well as the Commonwealth sought to intervene against the union case. The High Court brought down a decision late in December, which comprehensively upheld the union position. The case was one of considerable national interest and the outcome ensures that the democratic processes by which Federation pursues its campaigns during election periods can continue. The Centre for Professional Learning (CPL) is in its Federation is also a one of a number of unions second year of operation. The purpose of the CPL involved in a legal challenge to the State Govern- is to support the professional work of Federation ment’s public sector wages policy. The case has been members through the development and delivery of heard and re-heard in the NSW Industrial Relations courses related to teaching. Strong member demand Commission, including a Full Bench hearing. The and feedback indicate that CPL is highly relevant and State Government has referred the matter to the greatly valued by our members, and the courses have NSW Supreme Court, and Federation is committed also been a useful recruitment tool in some instances. to continue as a joint union participant. The out- This year the quantity and range of courses has come of this hearing will play an important part in been extended to include additional curriculum areas, future Federation campaigns for salary justice for and a considered decision to provide greater access our members. through delivery in new locations outside the Sydney The Putting Students First campaign continues in area is intended to better support members in rural the schools sector through campaigning against the and remote locations. implementation of the government devolution poli- The success of the CPL reflects an intelligent, well cies Local Schools, Local Decisions and Empowering planned organisation in the development and estab- Local Schools. lishment of the CPL over its first two years, as well While the Stop TAFE Cuts campaign is a national as an unwavering commitment to the provision of campaign coordinated by the Australian Education high quality courses without compromise. I wish to Union (AEU), NSW members are probably the campaign’s most vigorous and committed activists. acknowledge and thank Denis Fitzgerald for his highly successful work in this regard as the founding Direc- Legal and industrial tor. With the centre now in full operation, Denis has stepped down from the position, and Kathy Deacon Federation provides members with legal and indus- was appointed as the CPL Director from 2014. Kathy 11 brings considerable professional and union experience to the position, commitment to offering high quality courses and a focus on expanding the breadth of professional learning courses. More details are provided on the CPL’s activities elsewhere in the annual report. Facilities Teachers Federation House has undergone further refurbishment over the year to better facilitate the work of the union. Better acoustic and sound technology has been installed in the auditorium, which enables it to be used as a performance space in addition to being used as a lecture facility. The building’s main entry and foyer area has been refurbished with a new floor surface and the provision of automatic sliding doors. The new sliding door entry not only addresses aes- thetic, safety and security requirements, but ensures more effective energy usage across the building and so reduces Federation’s carbon footprint. The major capital works project budgeted for this year will upgrade and replace the Mary Street building lifts which have reached the end of their useful life. While this project involves a significant financial cost to the union, it is an essential investment necessary for the union to continue to operate effectively as the lifts are the major access point through the building. A number of regional offices have also undergone relocation or refurbishment. New premises have been leased in Queanbeyan, Wollongong and Tamworth, with the latter being long overdue. The Blacktown office has undergone some internal refurbishment. Environmental footprint These changes not only better support member and As part of the implementation of Federation’s policy union needs, but also provide necessary improve- commitment to responsible and sustainable energy ments as suitable work premises. Where possible, usage, including an energy reduction program, LED the provision of a meeting space for some local as- lights replaced existing dichroic bulbs and florescent sociation meetings and activities, and potentially tubes. This was completed in June 2013. The impact trade union training, has been included. was positive both environmentally and financially, Federation Conference Centre with a significant reduction in utilities costs. Air conditioning was also overhauled, and the recent The NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre fa- installation of automatic sliding doors at the main cilities continue to be well utilised, both by Federation entry will better support a more effective air condi- and through hire by partner organisations, community tioning system. groups and businesses. Federation completed an initial assessment under The auditorium, meeting rooms and function spaces the National Australian Built Environment Rating have been used for a wide range of Federation events System (NABERS), late last year. NABERS is a perfor- including Council meetings, Aboriginal Members’, mance based environmental impact rating system for Women’s and other conferences, as well as various existing buildings. It is a national initiative managed meetings, training events and functions. Additional by the NSW Government Office of Environment and meeting rooms have also allowed the Centre for Pro- Heritage on behalf of the Commonwealth, and was fessional Learning to increase the number of courses originally developed as an energy efficiency rating on offer this year. tool for office buildings, but the ratings system is The conference centre is well located and established now being developed for wider application including for external events. External users of the conference NSW schools, hospitals and transport. centre facilities include partner organisations such as The system measures the energy efficiency, Teachers Federation Health, other unions, universities; water usage, waste management and indoor envi- as well as some commercial users. The facilities are ronmental quality of a building and its impact on also accessed by many community organisations such the environment. This is achieved by measuring as APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad, the National Council and verifying performance information such as of Social Services, the Cancer Council, the Australian utility bills and converting them into a star rating Federation of AIDS Organisations, the Walkley Foun- scale from one to six stars. For example, a six star dation, NSW Federation of Housing Associations, the rating demonstrates leading market performance, Centre of Affordable Housing, and the Coalition for while one star rating means the building has con- Justice and Peace in Palestine. siderable scope for improvement. There are only 12 about three buildings within Australia that have contributions to a number of Federation activities in- achieved a six star rating, and this has involved cluding conferences and trade union training courses. high tech, high cost initiatives to produce their That ongoing commitment and support is greatly ap- own electricity. Such initiatives are well beyond preciated by the Federation and its members. Federation’s means for the foreseeable future. This first NABERS review of Teachers Federa- Library tion House includes a period of time prior to the complete installation of the energy reduction lighting and air conditioning systems, so does not yet reflect the true electricity consumption for the premises. However, the changes and improvements to the energy usage are such that the building has achieved a 4.5 star rating. This places the building’s energy performance between good (4 star) and excellent (5 star). A copy of the NABERS Certificate is displayed in the Teachers Federation House foyer. This welcome result is an exciting and important outcome, due in no small part to the efforts and commitment of the building services staff; and in particular building services manager Steve Orlandi, to manage the implementation of such improvements. It may be possible that future assessments which will consider the building’s energy usage totally under the new systems may see the building’s rating improve to five stars.

Childcare Federation supports greater member attendance and participation at Federation Council, Federation conferences or trade union training courses through childcare provision, either at the Federation’s adjunct childcare centre, or through external childcare provision or assistance. The adjunct childcare centre on level 2 of Teachers Federation House is open for child care for children aged six weeks to 14 years. The centre can accommodate eight children who are under two years old and 12 children who are two to six years. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers are cared for by appropriately qualified early childhood carers. The library forms part of Federation’s overall infor- Member feedback remains extremely positive and mation management strategy. The library facilitates Federation will continue such support for members knowledge-building, knowledge-sharing and learning attending Federation activities at Mary Street. among Federation Officers, staff, Executive members and members (including those in remote locations who Section reviews are able to lodge requests electronically for information from the library services). Regular cyclic reviews of sections of Federation con- An important and ongoing component of the library’s tinue to ensure good practice is enhanced to support work is the continuing program of maintenance and the work of the union and its members. A review of digitalized conservation of numerous Federation docu- the membership section was undertaken late in 2013. ments and records, including the Federation journal A review of the union’s member communications is Education. Without this important and ongoing con- currently underway. The aim is to improve and build servation program much of Federation’s documented a cohesive and more effective structure, which better history would be lost to new and future members. integrates and utilises new technologies with current Members attending either trade union or profes- skills and resources, to facilitate effective Federation sional learning courses at Mary Street have also availed communications with members and others. themselves of the professional reading and resources Teacher Services Group available on loan from the library. Federation continues to work closely with Teachers Affiliations and donations Federation Health, First State Super and the Teachers Federation has maintained its affiliations for 2014 with Mutual Bank. These organisations work with Federation Unions NSW, South Coast Labor Council, Newcastle and provide excellent support services to Federation Trades Hall Council, other provincial labour councils, members. The Teacher Services Group also provides the Australian Education Union (AEU) and, through support for public education, particularly through 13 the AEU with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Affiliations have also continued with the Welfare Rights Centre and APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad. Com- mitments to a range of international programs are delivered through Federation’s support of the AEU’s International Fund, the work of Education Interna- tional and of APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad. The union’s ongoing support of Stewart House continues through the salary contributions scheme. With so many members retiring, many of whom contributed to Stewart House through this scheme, Federation has redoubled its support with opportunities for representatives from Stewart House to attend and address new members at beginning teacher courses and conferences. The union has maintained its independence of political parties and is neither affiliated to, nor makes donations to, such organisations. Conclusion Federation has completed and submitted all the returns required by legislation. The year-end accounts are available on Federation’s website. The Australian Education Union NSW Branch statements are also available online. Federation’s ability to maintain a strong campaign focus on issues of concern to members is balanced against the current membership levels and the subscription income available. Nonetheless, for Federation to remain effective, it must continue to campaign and support members both individually and collectively, and to further the interests of public education. These are only are only possible because of the sound financial policies and practices of the union. Federation’s finances are appropriately attended to by a number of organisations and individuals, and thanks are extended to our auditors, Grant Thornton, and to Labor Union Insurance Brokers. I wish to especially thank Federation Executive and Custodians, whose work ensures the proper mechanisms are in place for expenditure and that Federation complies with its own objectives and rules and with the appropriate Acts of Parliament. Both the Federa- tion Finance Restricted Committee and the Accounts section have provided invaluable support, thus allowing the Executive and Custodians to exercise all due financial diligence and governance. I wish to acknowledge the contribution of all Federa- tion employees, both in Mary Street and in the regional offices. While most of them may not be known to our members, these people all play an important part in the operation of the Federation’s activities. On behalf of all Officers and members I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Federation employees for their work in support of members and public education. Finally, on behalf of Federation, I congratulate and thank members for their ongoing support for Federation campaigns within their workplaces and their local communities. Jenny Diamond General Secretary

14 Aboriginal

I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of women, the “Black Diggers”, at the associated Friday the Land on which we meet and read this report. Ac- Forum. Forum attendees gave a standing ovation after knowledging our Elders with us now and Elders who hearing from year 6 student Lindsay Munro. have gone before us, acknowledging all their journeys, their achievements, their challenging and wounding pathways they have travelled. I acknowledge too their sincerity and kindness in sharing our History, Lore, Belief and Culture through the passing on of their knowledge and wisdom to the next generations, so they too work in harmony for the advancement of all Australians in recognising the continued plight of our First Peoples. Participation The number of Aboriginal Federation members has increased to 1061, including 206 trainee teachers. More Aboriginal members are attending Federation events, and even participate as presenters/facilitators. Aunty Joan (left) and Aunty Ali (right) did the Acknowledgement to Coun- The union encourages Aboriginal members to get try at the Friday Forum. Lindsay Munro (centre) spoke at the forum. involved with their school’s Federation Workplace Committee, local teachers association and Federation Leah Purcell was a wonderful speaker at the Saturday at state level. conference and a wonderful team of Aboriginal danc- There is an Aboriginal member on Executive, and ers performed. Aboriginal members attend Executive as Observers. Aboriginal members participate in the Aboriginal Members Committee. During the past year Aboriginal members attended the Australian Education Union Conference and were Observers to the Australian Education Union’s Yalukit Yulendji Committee. They participated in Department committees; the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and the Unions NSW Indigenous Committee. Aboriginal members are members of Federation’s Trainee Teacher Scholarships; Anti-Racism Policy; Women’s Restricted; and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Restricted committees. They continue to nominate for Anna Stewart Temporary Officer, Relief Officer and substantive Officer positions. Federation Aboriginal members were elected as delegates to Federation Women’s Conference; AEU Women’s Conference; AEU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander forums and symposiums; AEU Annual Conference; and other education forums, symposiums and conferences. Aboriginal members were involved in many Ab- original and non-Aboriginal committees in their local communities. Aboriginal Members Conference The number of attendees at Aboriginal Members Con- ference continues to grow. This year 160 Aboriginal members attended, including many first timers. One of the highlights was the acknowledgement of Students from the Arts Unit entertained delegates at the Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and Members Conference. 15 Raising Aboriginal peoples’ achievement in education All Federation members need to be aware of Aboriginal issues and how they as individuals and a collective can support, assist and engage with the First Peoples. Raising Aboriginal peoples’ achievement in education to the levels achieved by non-Aboriginal people must be the highest educational priority of all Aus- tralian governments, education departments, schools and other learning institutions.

Uncle Max Eulo performed a smoking ceremony at March Council before the Gonski campaign vans made their way to Canberra. Federation’s Aboriginal Education 25 Year Approach: The Way Forward policy is distributed at Beginning Teacher conferences and is accessible from Federa- tion’s website. conclude with this quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I Charline Emzin-Boyd Aboriginal Education Coordinator

Federation will continue to campaign and lobby governments to address the inequalities in all areas of education for Aboriginal students. During the past 12 months Federation’s Aboriginal members have worked to engage Aboriginal communities about the importance of Gonski schools funding for education. Campaigning will continue.

16 Accounts Accountant’s report

Summary The following commentary focuses on the movement on consolidated accounts between 2013 and 2012 years. The consolidated accounts include the following entities: • NSW Teachers Federation • Federation Law Pty Ltd • Public Education Fund. A summary of the 2013 end of year financial position as compared to 2012 is as follows: • Revenue of $36.4 million down 5 per cent from $38.2 million. • Total expenses of $38.6 million up by 0.6 per cent from $38.4 million. • Operating loss after tax of $2.1 million was up by 98.6 per cent from operating loss after tax of $0.03 million. • Other comprehensive income of $12.6 million was up by 130.8 per cent from a loss of $3.8 million. Revenue Revenue of $36.4 million was down by 5 per cent or $1.8 million from a year ago. Loss of revenue is attributable to a loss in subscription income of $1.1 million for the same period as well as losses in other revenue sources such as interest received of $0.4 million and legal fee income of $0.3 million. Rental income was $1.3 million down by 0.7 per cent due mainly to ground floor shop vacancies in Teachers Federation House. Other income of $0.7 million covering such things as journal advertising income and conference centre hire income was up by 9.2 per cent. Expenses Movement in expenses from one year to another is largely reliant on campaign activity. Total expenses of $38.6 million up by 0.6 per cent from $38.4 million. A summary of expenses by category is as follows: 2013 2012 Change Change % Expense category $m $m $m Total remuneration and on costs 19.76 19.72 0.04 0.2 Total Other IRA regulations disclosures 8.2 6.9 1.3 15.5 Total other administration disclosures 10.6 11.7 1.1 (10.1) Total administration expenses 18.9 18.7 0.2 1.1 Total expenses 38.6 38.4 0.2 0.6

Total other IRA regulation and disclosures includes campaigning around the I give a Gonski and Teachers Make a Difference campaigns, both at state (Federation) and federal (Australian Education Union) levels. Agency collection fees paid to the AEU(NSW Branch) and in turn paid to the AEU Federal office were $3.5 million, an increase of $0.8 million or 24.2 per cent over the previous year. The increase is primarily due to the increase in fees by the Federal Office for the national public education campaign. Professional expenses of $0.4 million were up by $0.3 million from the previous year, an increase in activity on payment of expenses for doctors’ reports for members’ legal cases. Media expenses were $2.8 million, down by $0.2 million or 7.7 per cent over the previous year, due to decreased campaigning activity. The decrease in campaigning activity further reduced other administration line items such as rentals of equipment ($0.1 million), postage ($0.1 million) and other travel and related expenses ($0.2 million). Other consolidated statement of profit and loss items Other comprehensive income — Defined benefit superannuation funds Other comprehensive income of $12.6 million was up by 130.8 per cent from loss of $3.8 million from a year ago. The details are shown in the following table:

17 2013 2012 Change Name of fund $’000s $’000s $’000s SASS (202) (732) 530 SANCS 123 (263) 387 SSS (18,190) (29,292) 11,102 NSWTF staff super (62) (673) 611 Total (18,332) (30,960) 12,630

The SSS fund incurred the most activity during the period. This included for the SSS fund, an increase in return of fund assets of $4.4 million (2012: $0.9 million) due to the improvement in the performance of investments, while incurring $7.7 million (2012: $5.6 million) in actuarial gains. Statement of financial position Current assets Cash is down by $1.5 million as well as financial assets (term deposits) $1.6 million. This reduction in current assets is attributable to a loss from operations and the late subscriptions received in early January 2014. Non-current assets Property plant and equipment was down by $0.4 million, as summarised in the table below: Property Plant and Equipment Total 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 $m $m $m $m $m $m Balance at the beginning of year 22 22.9 5.4 5 27.4 27.9 Additions - - 1.3 1.1 1.3 1 Disposals - - (0.1) (0.04) (0.1) (0.04) Depreciation (0.8) (0.8) (0.8) (0.7) (1.6) (1.5) Carrying amount at end of year 21.2 22.1 5.8 5.4 27 27.4 Non-current liabilities The decrease in non-current liabilities may be entirely attributable to the $12.6 million reduction in liability for the defined benefit schemes as mentioned above in other comprehensive income. A detailed explanation to this figure is available in the full accounts at note 15, Retirement benefit obligations. Special Reserve 1984 Annual Conference The 1984 Annual Conference resolution requires a reserve to be recognised each year to the value of the following six months budgeted cash expenditure. An analysis of the adequacy of the reserve is as per the table below: $m Reserve equity balance at 31 December 2013 15.3 2014 6 month cash expenditure budget 17.9 Deficiency 2.5 Reserve investment balance at 31 December 2013 17.3 Accrued interest at 31 December 2013 0.5 2014 six month budget interest income 0.5 Effective cash reserve 18.3 Reserve excess 0.4 Steve Ruzic Accountant

18 Financial statements 31 December 2013

Certificate by the Committee of Management (The Executive) We, Maurie Mulheron, and Margaret Vos, being two members of the Committee of Management (the Execu- tive) of the New South Wales Teachers Federation (the Federation), do state on behalf of the Executive, and in accordance with a resolution passed by the Executive that: i. In the opinion of the Executive, the attached financial statements show a true and fair view of the financial affairs of the Federation as at 31 December 2013. ii. In the opinion of the Executive, meetings of the Executive held during the year were in accordance with the rules of the Federation. iii.To the knowledge of all members of the Executive, there have been no instances where records of the Federation that should have been made available have been withheld from members. iv. The Federation has, in relation to the Auditor’s Report on the financial statements and other statements in respect of the immediately preceding year, complied with the provisions of Section 517(1) and 517(5) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1991 (IRA) as applied by Section 282(3) of the Industrial Relations Act 1996. Signed on behalf of the Executive At Sydney this 15th day of March, 2014 Maurie Mulheron Margaret Vos I, Jenny Diamond, being the Officer responsible for keeping the accounting records of the New South Wales Teachers Federation, certify that as at 31 December 2013, the number of financial members of the Federation was 59,430 covering full-time, permanent part-time and part-time members. In my opinion: i. The attached financial statements show a true and fair view of the financial affairs of the Federation as at 31 December 2013. ii. A record has been kept of all moneys paid by, or collected from, members and all money so paid or collected has been credited to the bank account to which those moneys are to be credited, in accordance with the rules of the Federation. iii. Before any expenditure was incurred by the Federation, approval of the incurring of the expenditure was obtained in accordance with the rules of the Federation. iv. With regard to funds of the Federation raised by compulsory levies or voluntary contributions from members, or funds other than the General Fund operated in accordance with the rules of the Federation, no payments were made out of any such fund for purposes other than those for which the fund was operated. Where such payments are so made, they are approved in accordance with the rules of the Federation. v. All loans or other financial benefits granted to persons holding office in the organisation were authorised in accordance with the rules of the organisation; and vi. The register of members of the Federation was maintained in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act, 1996. At Sydney this 15th day of March, 2014 Jenny Diamond

19 Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the financial year ended 31 December 2013 CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 Note $ $

REVENUE Subscriptions: - Membership 31,154,871 32,169,859 - Public Education Fund Levy 1,470,492 1,542,905 Total subscriptions 32,625,363 33,712,764 Legal fee income 487,759 880,769 Other income 734,301 666,420 Rental income 1,351,289 1,360,611 Donations - 745 Interest received 1,236,563 1,641,679 Total other revenue 3,809,912 4,550,224 TOTAL REVENUE 36,435,275 38,262,988 Net gain on disposal of fixed assets 70,634 75,144 EXPENSES Remuneration — Officers (includes termination pays) 1,645,726 1,611,048 Remuneration — Employees 13,184,483 13,328,263 Superannuation contributions 1,729,458 1,658,923 Payroll tax and related costs 945,441 947,943 Annual leave provision expense 1,485,774 1,455,511 Long service leave provision expense 774,768 720,338 Total remuneration and on costs 19,765,650 19,722,026 Agency collection fees — AEU (NSW Branch) 3,528,394 2,674,451 Affiliations fees 230,801 286,675 Amortisation expense 221,356 218,854 Depreciation expense 1,599,172 1,608,355 Donations paid 11,955 13,303 Grants paid 16 320,771 269,914 Meetings, conferences and related expenses 1,904,931 1,824,947 Professional expenses 422,345 63,803 Total of other IRA Regulations Disclosures 8,239,725 6,960,302 The above statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

20 Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the financial year ended 31 December 2013 CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 Note $ $

Other travel and related expenses 831,059 1,023,030 Motor vehicle expenses 344,493 317,230 Financial expenses 182,897 231,785 Provision for doubtful debts 57,741 47,086 Insurances 376,399 525,624 Office occupancy expenses 980,302 937,429 Repairs and maintenance 562,363 522,969 Stationery and supplies 443,313 515,810 Rentals and equipment 166,880 271,460 Associations disbursements 257,949 366,062 Publication expenses 1,502,922 1,362,275 Library expenses 73,585 71,029 Media 2,859,970 3,080,863 Telephone 374,026 523,989 Postage 233,428 347,970 Ballot expenses 39,882 15,805 General expenses 663,523 726,948 Teachers relief expense 477,182 596,300 Consultants expense/speakers lecture 222,799 242,725 Total other administration expenses 10,650,713 11,726,389

Total administration expenses 18,890,438 18,686,691

TOTAL EXPENSES 38,656,088 38,408,717 (Loss)/profit before income tax (2,150,179) (70,585) Income tax gain 2 51,592 41,655 (LOSS)/PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE ENTITY (2,098,587) (28,930) Other comprehensive income Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss. Actuarial gain/(loss) on defined benefit plans 15 12,629,698 (3,891,190) TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) 12,629,698 (3,891,190) TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) 10,531,111 (3,920,120) The above statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

21 Statement of financial position as at 31 December 2013 CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 Note $ $

CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 5 1,552,914 3,107,620 Trade and other receivables 6 2,484,413 1,951,496 Financial assets 7 20,895,700 22,498,096 Current tax asset 12 4,418 8,173 Other current assets 8 1,675,935 1,753,808 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 26,613,380 29,319,193 NON CURRENT ASSETS Financial assets 7 4,434,156 4,434,156 Property, plant and equipment 9 27,039,336 27,473,253 Deferred tax assets 12 93,836 110,044 Intangible assets 10 322,907 257,532 TOTAL NON CURRENT ASSETS 31,890,235 32,274,985 TOTAL ASSETS 58,503,615 61,594,178 CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 11 1,560,799 2,764,271 Short-term provisions 14 6,845,831 6,605,940 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 8,406,630 9,370,211 NON CURRENT LIABILITIES Deferred tax liabilities 12 321,564 349,959 Financial liabilities 13 12,567 12,567 Long-term provisions 14 - - Retirement benefit obligations 15 18,331,531 30,961,229 TOTAL NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 18,665,662 31,323,755 TOTAL LIABILITIES 27,072,292 40,693,966 NET ASSETS 31,431,323 20,900,212 EQUITY General Fund 9,967,807 1,662,663 Special Reserve 1984 Annual Conference 17,938,500 15,346,064 Public Education Fund 3,525,016 3,891,485 TOTAL EQUITY 31,431,323 20,900,212 The above statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

22 Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2013

Special Public Reserve General Reserve 1984 Education asset Fund Conference Fund revaluation Total $ $ $ $ $ CONSOLIDATED Balance at 1 January 2012 5,520,242 15,346,064 3,861,865 92,161 24,820,332 Total comprehensive income for the year (3,920,120) - - - (3,920,120) Transfers to and from Reserves - Public Education Fund (29,620) - 29,620 - - - Reserve asset revaluation 92,161 - - (92,161) - Balance at 31 December 2012 1,662,663 15,346,064 3,891,485 - 20,900,212 Total comprehensive gain for the year 10,531,111 - - - 10,531,111 Transfers to and from Reserves - Special Reserve 1984 Annual Conference (2,592,436) 2,592,436 - - - - Public Education Fund 366,469 - (366,469) - - Balance at 31 December 2013 9,967,807 17,938,500 3,525,016 - 31,431,323 The above statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

23 Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2013 CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 Note $ $

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts from members 37,392,130 39,236,055 Receipts from customers 3,355,000 2,228,241 Payments to suppliers and employees (44,421,061) (41,833,780) Interest received 1,241,451 2,037,390 Income tax payments (4,418) (8,173) Net cash provided by operating activities 19(b) (2,436,898) 1,659,733 CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payment for investments 2,412,472 1,286,556 Payment for property, plant and equipment (1,314,183) (1,124,222) Payment for intangible assets (286,731) (192,759) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 70,634 76,841 Net cash used in investing activities 882,192 46,416 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayment of Borrowings - - Net cash used in financing activities - - Net (decrease)/increase in cash held (1,554,706) 1,706,149 Cash at the beginning of the year 3,107,620 1,401,471 Cash at the end of the year 19(a) 1,552,914 3,107,620 The above statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the financial statements. Notes to the financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2013

The following is a summary of the material account- Note 1: Statement of significant accounting ing policies adopted by the consolidated entity in the policies preparation of the financial report. The accounting policies adopted have been consistently applied, un- The financial report is a general purpose financial report less otherwise stated. that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Industrial Relations Act 1996, Australian a) Basis of preparation Accounting Standards, including Australian Accounting Interpretations, other authoritative pronouncements Reporting basis and conventions of the Australian Accounting Standards Board. The financial report has been prepared on an accru- The financial report covers the consolidated entity als basis and is based on historical costs modified by of New South Wales Teachers Federation and controlled the revaluation of selected non-current assets, and entities, and New South Wales Teachers Federation as financial assets and financial liabilities for which the an individual parent entity. New South Wales Teachers fair value basis of accounting has been applied. Federation is an organisation registered under the In- dustrial Relations Act 1996 and domiciled in Australia. b) Principles of consolidation The financial report of New South Wales Teachers A controlled entity is any controlled by New South Federation and controlled entities and New South Wales Teachers Federation. Control exists where New Wales Teachers Federation as an individual parent South Wales Teachers Federation has the capacity entity complies with Australian Accounting Standards to dominate the decision-making in relation to the which include Australian equivalents to International financial and operating policies of another entity so Financial Reporting Standards (AIFRS). A Statement that the other entity operates with New South Wales of compliance with International Financial Reporting Teachers Federation to achieve the objectives of New Standards cannot be made due to the consolidated South Wales Teachers Federation. entity applying the not-for-profit sector specific -re All inter-entity balances and transactions between quirements contained in AIFRS. entities in the consolidated entity, including any

24 unrealised profits or losses, have been eliminated on trolled entity exceeds the fair value attributed to its consolidation. net tangible assets at date of acquisition. Goodwill is Where a controlled entity has entered or left the tested annually for impairment and carried at cost consolidated entity during the year its operating re- less accumulated impairment losses. sults have been included from the date control was Software obtained or until the date of control ceased. Software is measured on the cost basis less amortisation and impairment losses. c) Property, plant and equipment The carrying amount of software is reviewed annually by the Executive to ensure it is not in excess of the Each class of property, plant and equipment is car- recoverable amount from these assets. The recover- ried at cost less, where applicable, any accumulated able amount is assessed on the basis of the expected depreciation and impairment losses. net cash flows that will be received from the assets Property employment and subsequent disposal. The expected Freehold land and buildings are measured at cost, net cash flows are discounted to their present values less depreciation for buildings and impairment losses. in determining recoverable amounts. Strata title property is measured at cost, less depreciation and impairment losses. Class of intangible asset Amortisation rate Plant and equipment Software 40% Plant and equipment are measured on the cost basis less depreciation and impairment losses. Amortisation The carrying amount of property, plant and equip- The amortisable amount of software is amortised on a ment is reviewed annually by the Executives to ensure straight-line basis over its useful life to the Federation it is not in excess of the recoverable amount from from the time the asset is held ready for use. these assets. The recoverable amount is assessed on the basis of the expected net cash flows that will be e) Employee benefits received from the assets employment and subsequent Provision is made for the entity’s liability for employee disposal. The expected net cash flows are discounted benefits arising from services rendered by employees to to their present values in determining recoverable balance date. Employee benefits expected to be settled amounts. within one year together with benefits arising from Discount factors are determined individually for wages and salaries, annual leave and sick leave which each cash generating unit and reflect management’s will be settled after one year, have been measured at assessment of respective risk profiles, such as market their nominal amount. Other employee benefits pay- and asset specific risk factors. Where the future eco- able later than one year have been measured at the nomic benefits of an asset are not primarily dependant present value of the estimated future cash outflows on the asset’s ability to generate net cash inflows and to be made for those benefits. where the entity would, if deprived of the asset, re- Defined superannuation schemes place its remaining future economic benefits, value In respect of defined benefit plans, the cost of provid- in use is determined as the depreciated replacement ing the benefits is determined using the projected unit cost of the asset. credit method. Actuarial valuations are conducted Depreciation every three years, with interim valuations performed The depreciable amount of all fixed assets including on an annual basis. Consideration is given to any building, but excluding freehold land, is depreciated event that could impact the funds up to balance on either straight-line or reducing balance basis over sheet date where the interim valuation is performed their useful lives to the Federation from the time the at an earlier date. asset is held ready for use. The depreciation rates used The amount recognised in the statement of financial for each class of asset are: position represents the present value of the defined benefit obligations adjusted for any unrecognised ac- Class of fixed asset Depreciation rate tuarial gains and losses and unrecognised past service Buildings 2.5% costs less the fair value of the plan’s assets. Any asset Leasehold improvements 20% recognised is limited to unrecognised actuarial losses, plus the present value of available refunds and reduc- Plant and equipment 10% tions in future contributions to the plan. Office equipment 10-25% Actuarial gains and losses are recognised outside of profit or loss in other comprehensive income. Gains Computer equipment 40% or losses on the curtailment or settlement of a defined Motor vehicles 25% benefit plan are recognised in the statement of profit Strata plan — buildings 2.5% or loss and other comprehensive income when the consolidated entity is demonstrably committed to the Art work 1% curtailment or settlement. d) Intangibles f) Income tax Goodwill No provision for income tax is necessary for the New Goodwill and goodwill on consolidation are initially South Wales Teachers Federation (parent entity), as recorded at the amount by which the purchase price it is exempt from tax under Sec 23(f) of the Income for a business or for an ownership interest in a con- Tax Assessment Act. 25 The charge for current income tax expense is based amortised cost, comprising original debt less principal on the profit for the year adjusted for any non assess- payments and amortisation. able or disallowable items. It is calculated using the Impairment tax rates that have been enacted or are substantially At each reporting date, the consolidated entity as- enacted at balance sheet date. sesses whether there is objective evidence that a Deferred tax for the consolidated entity is accounted financial instrument has been impaired. In the case for using the statement of financial position liability of available-for sale financial instruments, a prolonged method in respect of temporary differences arising decline in the value of the instrument is considered between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and to determine whether impairment has arisen. Im- their carrying amounts in the financial statements. pairment losses are recognised in the statement of No deferred income tax will be recognised from the comprehensive income. initial recognition of an asset or liability, excluding a business combination, where there is no effect on h) Impairment of assets accounting or taxable profit or loss. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are At each reporting date, the entity reviews the carrying expected to apply to the period when the asset is re- values of its tangible and intangible assets to determine alised or liability is settled. Deferred tax is credited in whether there is any indication that those assets have the income statement except where it relates to items been impaired. If such an indication exists, the recov- that may be credited directly to equity, in which case erable amount of the asset, being the higher of the the deferred tax is adjusted directly against equity. asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use, is Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the compared to the asset’s carrying value. Any excess of extent that it is probable that future tax profits will the asset’s carrying value over its recoverable amount be available against which deductible temporary dif- is expensed to the statement of profit or loss and other ferences can be utilised. comprehensive income. The amount of benefits brought to account or Impairment testing is performed annually for good- which may be realised in the future is based on the will and intangible assets with indefinite lives. assumption that no adverse change will occur in Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable income taxation legislation and the anticipation that amount of an individual asset, the consolidated entity the consolidated entity will derive sufficient future estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating assessable income to enable the benefit to be realised unit to which the asset belongs. and comply with the conditions of deductibility im- i) Revenue recognition posed by the law. Membership subscription revenue is recognised in g) Financial instruments the financial period to which the membership applies. Recognition Membership revenue received in advance is recognised Financial instruments are initially measured at cost as a liability at balance date. on trade date, which includes transaction costs, when Legal fee revenue is recognised when the ser- the related contractual rights or obligations exist. Sub- vice is rendered and the time is incurred. Unbilled sequent to initial recognition these instruments are revenue is recognised as an asset termed “work in measured as set out below. During the year certain progress” which is included within other current financial assets have been appropriately classified assets. Provision is made against work in progress as amortised cost which represents the investment balances to the extent that they are not considered strategy for these assets. The reclassification is not to be recoverable. material and comparatives have been adjusted to Rental income is recognised upon the Federation’s reflect this change. right to receive the income in accordance with the Loans and receivables lease contract. Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial j) Goods and services tax assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market and are stated at am- Donation income is recognised upon the receipt of ortised cost using the effective interest rate method. funds. Held to maturity investments Interest income is recognised on a proportional These investments have fixed maturities, and it is the basis taking into account the applicable interest rates entity’s intention to hold these investments to maturity. on the financial assets. Any held-to-maturity investments are stated at amor- Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net tised costs using the effective interest rate method. of the amount of goods and services tax (GST), except Available-for-sale financial assets where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable Available-for-sale financial assets include any finan- from the Australian Tax Office. In these circumstances cial assets other than those included in the above the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisi- categories or those at fair value through profit and tion of the asset or as part of an item of the expense. loss. Available-for-sale financial assets are reflected Receivables and payables in the statement of financial at fair value, except where they do not have a quoted position are shown inclusive of GST. market price in an active market, in which case they Cash flows are presented in the statement of cash are carried at cost. flows on a gross basis, except for the GST component of Financial liabilities investing and financing activities, which are disclosed Non-derivative financial liabilities are recognised at as operating cash flows. 26 k) Financial risk management objectives and no significant impact on the financial statements. policies n) Critical accounting estimates and The consolidated entity’s principal financial instrument judgements comprises receivables, payables and bank loans, cash and short term deposits. The Executive evaluates estimates and judgements The consolidated entity manages its exposure to key incorporated into the financial statements based on financial risks including interest rate in accordance with historical knowledge and best available current infor- the consolidated entity’s financial risk management mation. Estimates assume a reasonable expectation policy. The objective of the policy is to support the of future events and are based on current trends and delivery of the consolidated entity’s financial targets economic data, obtained both externally and within whilst protecting future financial security. the consolidated entity. The main risks arising from the consolidated entity’s Key estimates financial instruments are interest rate risk, credit risk Impairment and liquidity risk. The consolidated entity uses differ- The consolidated entity assesses impairment at the ent methods of measure and manages different types end of each reporting period by evaluation of condi- of risks to which it is exposed. These include monitor- tions and events specific to the consolidated entity ing levels of exposure to interest rate and assessments that may be indicative of impairment triggers. of market forecasts for interest rate prices. Ageing Recoverable amounts and relevant assets are reas- analysis and monitoring of specific credit allowances sessed using value-in-use calculations which incorporate are undertaken to manage credit risk. Liquidity risk is various key assumptions. monitored through the development of future rolling Key judgements cash flow forecasts. Provision for impairment of receivables No impairment has been recognised for the total re- l) Risk exposure and responses ceivables amount outstanding as at balance date. 84.1 per cent of the total balance outstanding of $732,754 Interest rate risk as at balance date is 91 days plus past due and is The consolidated entity’s exposure to market interest predominantly made up of legal cases receivables, rates relates primarily to the consolidated entity’s the majority of which are matters relating to workers investments. The level of investment is disclosed in compensation cases which are fully recoverable on note 20(c). settlement of the matters. Superannuation m) Future change in accounting standards The consolidated entity makes employer contributions to defined benefit schemes that are accounted The AASB has issued new, revised and amended for using methods that rely on actuarial assumptions standards and interpretations that have mandatory to estimate costs and liabilities for inclusion in the application dates for future reporting periods. New financial statements. These actuarial assumptions South Wales Teachers Federation has considered all include discounted rates, assumed rates of return, pending Australian Accounting Standards issued up to salary increases and mortality rates and are disclosed the current reporting date and believe that they have in detail within note 15.

27 CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ Note 2: Income tax revenue The prima facie tax on (loss)/profit before income tax is reconciled to the income tax as follows: Prima facie tax payable on (loss)/profit before income tax at 30 per cent (2012: 30 per cent) - Consolidated entity Add: tax effect of: - Other non-allowable Items - 371 - 371 Less: tax effect of: - Non-taxable operating loss/(surplus) of the Federation (102,412) (92,574) - Inter-entity transactions 154,004 133,858 Income tax revenue attributable to operating expense from ordinary activities 51,592 41,655 Comprised of: Movement in deferred tax assets 16,208 18,997 Movement in deferred tax liabilities (28,395) 4,297 Current income tax expense (39,405) (64,949) (51,592) (41,655) The applicable weighted average effective tax rates are shown as follows: -% (1.0)% Note 3: Auditor’s remuneration

Audit of financial reports 63,680 61,850 Taxation services 3,500 6,700 67,180 68,550

Note 4: Key management personnel compensation

Short-term employee benefits 1,504,115 1,182,273 Post employment benefits 147,790 96,726 Other long-term benefits (6,179) (6,572) Termination benefits - - 1,645,726 1,272,427 Note 5: Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank 1,518,764 3,069,260 Cash at hand 34,150 38,360 1,552,914 3,107,620 Note 6: Trade and other receivables CURRENT Trade debtors 156,866 215,195 Legal cases receivables 575,888 1,120,573 732,754 1,335,768 GST receivable 105,908 50,045 Subscriptions receivable 1,059,081 370,208 Other debtors 586,670 200,825 1,751,659 621,078 2,484,413 1,951,496

28 Current assets — trade and other receivables

As at 31 December, the ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows: Total 0-30 days 31-60 days 61-90 Days +91 Days PDNI* $ $ $ $ $ 2013 Consolidated 732,754 63,488 87,785 47,790 533,691 2012 Consolidated 1,335,768 143,363 84,841 39,499 1,068,065 * Past due not impaired Receivables past due but not considered impaired are: Consolidated $533,691 (2012 $1,068,065). Receivables that are past due are assessed for impairment by ascertaining solvency of the debtors and are provided for where there are specific circumstances indicating that the debt may not be fully repaid to the Group. Payment terms on these amounts have not been re-negotiated. Other balances within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets and are not past due. It is expected that those other balances will be received when due. Related party receivables No amounts were written off or provisions made during the year. For related party receivables refer to note 17(b).

Note 7: Financial assets CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ CURRENT Interest bearing deposits (at amortised cost) - General purpose 500,000 3,600,000 - Public Education Fund 1,191,000 3,015,266 - Annual leave 2,378,650 2,260,000 - Long service leave 1,500,000 - - 2.5% subscriptions 15,326,050 13,622,830 20,895,700 22,498,096 NON CURRENT

Interest bearing deposits (at amortised cost) - 2.5% subscriptions 2,000,000 2,000,000 -Long service leave 1,500,000 1,500,000 -Public Education Fund 800,000 800,000 Shares in TUC Wollongong, at deemed cost 134,156 134,156 4,434,156 4,434,156 The amounts set aside for annual leave and long service leave are funds to offset the liability for same and not amounts due for excess leave taken.

Note 8: Other current assets

Unbilled revenue at recoverable amount 1,047,629 1,124,785 Prepayments 623,915 623,981 Other 4,391 5,042 1,675,935 1,753,808

29 Note 9: Property, plant and equipment CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $

Properties Suite 11, 13-17 Kildare Road, Blacktown (at cost) 391,767 391,767 Less: Accumulated depreciation (167,764) (157,970) 224,003 233,797 39 Carrington Street, Lismore (at cost) 383,809 383,809 Less: Accumulated depreciation (62,994) (53,398) 320,815 330,411 Lot 10 & 11/1 Hopetoun Street, Charlestown (at cost) 728,270 728,270 Less: Accumulated depreciation (57,114) (38,906) 671,156 689,364 Strata Plan 77140, Surry Hills, Lot 2 (at cost) 6,105,593 6,105,593 Less: Accumulated depreciation (2,019,021) (1,865,577) 4,086,572 4,240,016 Strata Plan 77140, Surry Hills, Lot 4 (at cost) 26,146,885 26,146,885 Less: Accumulated depreciation (10,223,011) (9,570,138) 15,923,874 16,576,747

Total book value of property 21,226,420 22,070,335 Plant and equipment Furniture, fittings and equipment (at cost) 2,400,379 2,222,566 Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,648,971) (1,518,480) 751,408 704,086 Plant and equipment (at cost) 958,043 921,074 Less: Accumulated depreciation (739,964) (703,073) 218,079 218,001 Refurbishment (at cost) 4,308,900 4,178,982 Less: Accumulated depreciation (657,300) (549,034) 3,651,600 3,629,948 Leasehold improvements (at cost) 74,685 74,686 Less: Accumulated depreciation (67,596) (62,494) 7,089 12,192 Computer installations (at cost) 2,685,528 2,467,090 Less: Accumulated depreciation (2,430,757) (2,249,905) 254,771 217,185 Motor vehicles (at cost) 1,296,330 1,049,276 Less: Accumulated depreciation (399,732) (458,392) 896,598 590,884 Art work (at cost) 34,308 31,236 Less: Accumulated depreciation (937) (613) 33,371 30,623

Total book value of plant and equipment 5,812,916 5,402,918

Total property, plant and equipment 27,039,336 27,473,253

30 a) Movement in carrying amounts CONSOLIDATED Property Plant and equipment Total 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 $ $ $ $ $ $ Balance at the beginning of year 22,070,335 22,914,244 5,402,918 5,083,181 27,473,253 27,997,425 Additions - - 1,314,182 1,124,222 1,314,182 1,124,222 Disposals - - (148,926) (40,039) (148,926) (40,039) Depreciation (843,915) (843,909) (755,258) (764,446) (1,599,173) (1,608,355) Carrying Amount at End of Year 21,226,420 22,070,335 5,812,916 5,402,918 27,039,336 27,473,253

Note 10: Intangible assets CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ Software 1,789,285 1,502,458 Less: Accumulated amortisation (1,466,378) (1,244,926) 322,907 257,532 a) Movement in carrying amounts Balance at the beginning of year 257,532 283,708 Additions 286,731 192,678 Amortisation (221,356) (218,854) Carrying amount at end of year 322,907 257,532 Note 11: Trade and other payables CURRENT Sundry creditors 1,500,665 1,945,104 Legal cases creditors - 683,293 Subscriptions in advance 60,134 135,874 1,560,799 2,764,271

Note 12: Tax CURRENT a) Assets Current tax asset 4,418 8,173 4,418 8,173 b) Liabilities Deferred tax liability comprise: Temporary differences 321,564 348,769 321,564 348,769 c) Assets Deferred tax assets comprise: Temporary differences 93,836 110,044 93,836 110,044 The movement in deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relates to Federation Law Pty Ltd and has been expensed through the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. The major source of deferred tax assets is provision for annual leave and long service leave, while work in progress represents the major source of deferred tax liability. 31 Note 13: Financial liabilities CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ CURRENT Joint funding of courses with Sydney University 12,567 12,567 12,567 12,567

Note 14: Provisions

Employee benefits $ Opening balance at 1 January 2013 6,605,940 Additional provisions 2,422,382 Amounts used (2,182,491) Balance at 31 December 2013 6,845,831

CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ Analysis of provisions Current 6,845,831 6,605,940 Non-current - - 6,845,831 6,605,940

Number of employees 162 162

Note 15: Retirement benefit obligations NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Retirement benefit obligations 18,331,531 30,961,230

The benefits provided by this plan are based on length of service of the member at retirement. The amount recognised in the statement of financial position is as follows: Present value of defined benefit obligations at the end of the year 62,718,990 68,899,791 Fair value of plans assets at end of the year (44,387,459) (37,938,561) Net liability/(asset) recognised in statement of financial position 18,331,531 30,961,230 Reconciliation of movement in the liability recognised in the statement of financial position as follows: Present value of defined benefit obligations at beginning of the year 68,899,791 61,761,919 Current service costs 780,237 627,780 Interest cost 2,225,971 2,207,478 Contributions by participants 384,821 408,520 Actuarial (gains) losses arising from changes in financial assumptions (7,654,133) 5,947,985 Actuarial (gains) losses arising from liability experience (292,964) - Benefits paid (1,835,974) (2,053,891) Taxes, premiums and expenses paid 211,241 Present value of defined benefit obligations at end of the year 62,718,990 68,899,791 Reconciliation of movement in the fair value of plan assets is as follows: Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year 37,938,561 34,691,878 Actual return on plan assets 7,243,771 4,417,283

32 CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ Employer contributions 656,283 474,771 Contribution by fund participants 384,820 408,520 Benefits paid (1,835,976) (2,053,891) 44,387,459 37,938,561 The amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income are as follows:

Current service costs 780,239 627,780 Interest cost 2,225,971 2,207,478 Anticipated return on plan assets (5,814,234) (2,691,784) Employer contributions (656,283) (474,771) (3,464,307) 331,297 Funding arrangements are reviewed at least every three years following the release of the triennial actuarial review and was last viewed following completion of the triennial review as at 30 June 2012. Contribution rates are set after discussions between the employer, STC and NSW Treasury in the case of SASS, SANCS and SSS schemes. The amounts recognised in other comprehensive income are as follows:

Actuarial gain/(loss) on defined benefit plan 1,363,272 (4,372,293) Economic assumptions Weighted Weighted average average Discount rate 4.3% 3.3% Anticipated return on plan assets 8.5% 8.5% Expected future salary increases 4% 2.5% Rate of CPI increase 2.6% 2.4% These assumptions were developed by management with the assistance of independent actuarial appraisals. Discount factors are determined with reference to high quality corporate bonds. Other assumptions are based on management’s historical experience. The estimate is particularly sensitive to the discount rate which has reduced over the past two years. Historical information is given as follows:

2013 2012 2011 2010 Present value of defined benefit obligation 62,718,990 68,899,791 61,761,919 47,342,581 Fair value of fund assets (44,387,459) (37,938,561) (34,691,879) (36,461,922) Deficit in fund 18,331,531 30,961,229 27,070,039 10,880,659 Experience adjustments - fund liabilities (7,947,096) 5,947,985 13,290,552 1,645,582 Experience adjustments - fund assets (453,841) (1,725,499) 3,128,558 1,354,317 Expected contributions for the next annual reporting period are as follows:

Expected employer contributions 631,698 631,698 The percentage contribution of each major category of plan assets comprises: Weighted Weighted average average Australian equities 33.4% 30.8% Overseas equities 28.6% 24.2% Australian fixed interest securities 3.9% 5.5% Overseas fixed interest securities 2.0% 2.1% Property 8.5% 9.1% Cash 7.7% 12.5% Other 16.0% 15.9% 33 Funding arrangements for employer contributions: a) Recommended contribution rates for 2014 are:

SASS SANCS SSS Staff super fund $ Employer $ Employer $ Employer $ Employer contributions contributions contributions contributions 158,000 77,000 209,000 187,698 b) Funding method: Contribution rates are set after discussions between the employer, STC and NSW Treasury. Contribution rates for the staff super fund are set each actuarial triennial review of the fund. Under the aggregate funding method, the employer contribution rate is determined so that sufficient assets will be available to meet benefit payments to existing members, taking into account the current value of assets and future contributions. Nature of asset/liability: If a surplus exists in the employer’s interest in the fund, the employer may be able to take advantage of it in the form of a reduction in the required contribution rate, depending on the advice of the plans’ actuary. Where a deficiency exists, the employer is responsible for any difference between the employer’s share of the plan assets and the defined benefit obligation. Note 16: Grants CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ AEU (NSW Branch) 4,000 - Eric Pearson Travel Grant 21,147 20,531 International Fund 151,219 150,000 Refugee Student Assistance Scheme 5,000 10,000 TUCAR 19,907 19,517 Other 2,500 7,957 New Teacher Scholarships 48,000 48,000 Sam Lewis Memorial 4,427 - Sponsorships 34,800 - Tree Levy 29,771 13,909 320,771 269,914

Note 17: Related party information a) Office holders The names of the people who held positions as Officers during the year are: Jenny Diamond General Secretary Maurie Mulheron President Gary Zadkovich Deputy President Joan Lemaire Senior Vice President John Dixon Assistant General Secretary Wendy Currie Assistant General Secretary relinquished position 15/10/2013 Rod Brown Assistant General Secretary elected 16/10/2013 Maxine Sharkey Assistant General Secretary Wayne Webber Assistant General Secretary The names of the people who held positions on the Executive during the year are:

Margaret Vos Custodian Josie Keeley Custodian

34 Denis Fitzgerald Vice President Geoff Turnbull Vice President Kathy Deacon Vice President Tim Mulroy Vice President Lindy Nolan Executive Member Jennifer Mace Executive Member Gemma Ackroyd Executive Member John Gauci Executive Member Michael Sciffer Executive Member Kathryn Bellach Executive Member elected 16/2/2013 Philip Cooke Executive Member Philip von Schoenberg Executive Member elected 16/2/2013 Mike Morgan Executive Member retired 15/2/2013 John Morris Executive Member retired 15/2/2013 Ben Ballard Executive Member (Aboriginal Members Roll) b) Related party transactions Fees collected by the New South Wales Teachers Federation for the Australian Education Union (New South Wales Branch) during 2013 were $3,528,394 (2012: $2,488,628). Transactions with Federation Law Pty Ltd during 2013 were: Rent received by New South Wales Teachers Federation from Federation Law Pty Ltd $41,981(2012: $41,981). Interest on loan paid by Federation Law Pty Ltd to New South Wales Teachers Federation $36,376 (2012: $49,795) Inter entity payables paid by New South Wales Teachers Federation to Federation Law Pty Ltd for professional costs and disbursements $513,346 (2012: $446,194). The above transactions with Federation Law Pty Ltd are recorded in the accounts of New South Wales Teach- ers Federation and eliminate on consolidation.

Note 18: Notice required under Industrial Relations Act In accordance with the requirements of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (Section 282)(3), the attention of members is drawn to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of Sec 512 of the 1991 Act which read as follows: A member of an organisation, or a Registrar, may apply to the organisation for specified prescribed information in relation to the organisation. An organisation shall, on application made under subsection (1) by a member of the organisation or a Regis- trar, make the specified information available to the member or Registrar in such a manner, and within such time, as is prescribed.

Note 19: Cash flow information a) Reconciliation of cash For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash includes cash on hand, cash at bank and deposits at call. Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the statement of the cash flows is reconciled to the related items in the statement of financial position as follows: CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ Cash at Bank 1,1518,764 3,069,260 Cash on Hand 34,150 38,360 1,552,914 3,107,620

35 b) Reconciliation of profit for the year to net cash provided by operating activities CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ (Loss)/profit for the year (2,098,587) (177,928) Non-cash flows in profit from ordinary activities Revenue/(loss) on superannuation defined benefit plans 3,464,307 (331,297) (Gain)/loss on disposal of fixed assets 70,634 75,144 Amortisation 221,356 218,854 Depreciation 1,599,172 1,608,355 Changes in assets and liabilities Increase/(decrease) in provision employee benefits 239,891 (230,877) Decrease/(increase) in receivables (532,917) 463,064 (Increase)/decrease in other current assets 2,665,891 (163,496) Decrease in creditors (1,203,472) 193,617 Increase in deferred tax liabilities (28,395) 4,297 Increase in deferred tax assets 93,836 - Net cash provided by operating activities 2,436,898 1,659,733 Note 20: Financial instruments The accounting policies and methods adopted in relation to each class of financial asset and liability are disclosed in note 1. The Federation does not participate in the use of derivative financial instruments. All financial assets and liabilities are denominated in Australian Dollars. a) Credit risk The maximum exposure to credit risk, excluding the value of any collateral or any other security, at balance date to recognise financial assets is the carrying amount, net of any provision for doubtful debts, as disclosed in the statement of financial performance and notes to the financial statements. The Federation does not have any material risk exposure to any single debtor or consolidated entity of debtors under financial instruments entered by the Federation. b) Net fair values The net fair values of debtors, loans and other amounts are determined by discounting the cash flows, at the market interest rates of similar securities, to their present values. The carrying amount of all financial assets and liabilities does not exceed their net fair values. All financial assets (note 7) are held at amortised cost representing held to maturity assets. c) Interest rate risk The Federation’s exposure to interest rate risk, which is the risk that a financial instrument’s value will fluc- tuate as a result of changes in market interest rates and the effect weighted average interest rates on these financial assets and liabilities, is as follows: CONSOLIDATED Weighted average rate Floating interest rate Fixed interest rate 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 % % $ $ Investments 4.47% 5.38% 25,195,700 26,798,096 - - Total interest bearing financial assets 25,195,700 26,798,096 - - All other financial assets and liabilities are non-interest bearing. Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis Year Risk variable Change in risk Effect on variable Profit and loss Equity 2013 Interest 0.5% 125,979 125,979 2012 Interest 0.5% 133,990 133,990

36 d) Liquidity risk Liquidity risk is the risk that the Federation might be unable to meet its obligations. The Federation carefully monitors its liquidity needs by managing cash inflows and outflows on a day to day basis. Specific cash reserves are set aside as mentioned in note 7 and the statement of changes in equity. The only financial liability is the retirement benefit obligations as set out in note 15. It is not expected that this liability will be extinguished within the next 12 months and the Officers of the Federation will monitor the actuarial deficit and the effect on the Federation’s cash flow.

Note 21: Operating lease commitments

Payables Operating lease commitments Non-cancellable operating leases contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements Payable — minimum lease payments CONSOLIDATED 2013 2012 $ $ No later than 12 months 136,114 146,055 Between 12 months and 5 years 245,692 383,186 381,806 529,241 Receivables Operating lease commitments Non-cancellable operating leases contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements Payable — minimum lease payments

2013 2012 $ $ No later than 12 months 622,053 1,361,997 Between 12 months and 5 years 296,448 1,151,599 918,501 2,513,596

Note 22: Controlled entities

Country of origin Ownership interest 2013 2012 % % Controlled entity Federation Law Pty Ltd Australia 100 100

37 Note 23: Parent entity information — New South Wales Teachers Federation

2013 2012 ASSETS $ $ Current assets 25,555,797 32,451,540 Non-current assets 32,453,375 28,535,246 Total assets 58,009,172 60,986,786 LIABILITIES Current liabilities 8,233,751 9,152,977 Non-current liabilities 18,344,098 30,973,797 Total liabilities 26,577,849 40,126,774

Net assets 31,431,323 20,860,012 EQUITY Equity attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the entity General Fund 9,967,807 1,622,463 Special Reserve 1984 Annual Conference 17,938,500 15,346,064 Public Education Fund 3,525,016 3,891,485 Total equity 31,431,323 20,860,012 Financial performance (Deficit)/surplus for the year (2,061,562) (148,754) Other comprehensive income/ (loss) 12,629,698 (3,891,190) Total comprehensive income /(loss) 10,568,136 (4,039,944)

Note 24: Events after the statement of financial position date There were no events subsequent to the year-end, which would require disclosure in the financial statements.

Note 25: Contingent liabilities and contingent assets There were no contingent liabilities or contingent assets to the year-end, which would require disclosure in the financial statements.

Note 26: Organisation details That registered office and principal place of business of both the New South Wales Teachers Federation and that of its controlled entity Federation Law Pty Ltd is: 23-33 Mary Street Surry Hills NSW 2010. Independent auditor’s report to the Members of NSW Teachers Federation

We have audited the accompanying financial report of New South Wales Teachers Federation (the “Federa- tion”) and its controlled entities (the consolidated entity), which comprises the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2013, and the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information to the financial report and the statement by the Committee of Management and Accounting Officer of the consolidated entity comprising the Federation and the entities it controlled at the year’s end or from time to time during the financial year. Responsibility of the Committee of Management for the financial report The Committee of Management of the Federation is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Industrial Relations Act 1996. This responsibility includes such internal controls as the Committee of Management determine are necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report to be free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

38 Auditor’s responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards which require us to comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Federation’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Federation’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Committee of Management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Independence In conducting our audit, we have complied with the applicable independence requirements of the Account- ing Professional and Ethical Standards Board. Auditor’s Opinion In our opinion, a. satisfactory accounting records were kept by Federation and the consolidated entity in respect of the year ended 31 December 2013, including: i. records of the sources and nature of the income of Federation and the consolidated entity (including income from members); and ii. records of the nature and purposes of expenditure of Federation and the consolidated entity; and b. the financial statements and other statements required to be prepared under S. 510 of the Industrial Rela- tions Act 1991 have been properly drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 and applicable Australian Accounting Standards including the Australian Accounting Interpretations, so as to give a true and fair view of: iii. the financial position of the Federation and the consolidated entity as at 31 December 2013; and iv. the performance of the Federation and the consolidated entity for the year ended on that date. We have obtained all the information and explanations we required from the Officers and employees of Federation, which were necessary for the purposes of our audit, and there were no deficiencies, failures or shortcomings in relation to the matters referred to above.

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD Chartered Accountants

A G Rigele Partner — Audit & Assurance

Sydney, 15 March 2014

39 Affiliations

NSW Council for Civil Liberties “The NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) was founded in 1963 with aim of protecting the rights and liberties of persons in Australia and its Territories. It is now one of Australia’s leading human rights and civil liberties organisations…NSWCCL attempts to influence public debate and government policy on a range of civil and human rights issues. We try to secure amendments to laws or changes in policy where civil liberties are not fully respected.” (NSWCCL website) A number of the issues of concern to the NSWCCL are reflected in Federation policy and debates; these include free speech, right to protest, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, asylum seekers and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights. The NSWCCL has campaigned on proposals by the Commonwealth Attorney-General to amend sections of the Racial Discrimination Act which deal with racial vilification and the Senate review of the Telecommunica- tions (Interceptions and Access) Act. Both of these issues directly affect Federation members. The Council continues to lobby for the civil rights of The Refugee Council of Australia has investigated the role of sport in asylum seekers; and their rights to have their applications assisting refugee settlement. assessed and followed through in a timely manner and The letter highlighted that seeking asylum is not illegal within Australian and international laws and conventions. under Australian and international law. Being affiliated with the NSWCCL provides opportu- For the first time, Federation proudly became an nities for the union to be informed and have input into official sponsor of the Refugee Council of Australia’s social justice debates. Angela Catallo Refugee Week in 2013. This support assisted the RCOA Federation’s representative to coordinate and promote a highly successful week of events, awareness-raising and advocacy on behalf of refugee and asylum seekers. Refugee Council of Australia More than 200 events were staged, ranging from breakfasts and soccer tournaments to art exhibitions, Federation affiliated with the Refugee Council of Australia film festivals and book launches. The week culminated (RCOA) in May 2008. The RCOA is a small non-profit in Welcome to Australia’s Walk Together event in 15 organisation with no core funding source but with a Australian cities and towns. large and challenging mandate to continue to support The resource kit produced online for Refugee Week its members through promoting humane policies for 2013 included sections on myths and facts about refugees refugees and asylum seekers. and asylum seekers, teacher resources and useful websites This year Federation worked with RCOA on many related to refugee resources. Many Federation members aspects of asylum and refugee policy; English as a Sec- accessed the kit prior to, during and after Refugee Week. ond Language (ESL) provision; Refugee Week; and other Federation and RCOA have also joined together nu- settlement needs of RCOA’s membership as pertaining merous times over the past year to oppose and campaign to public education, social inclusion and multicultural against the impact of Local Schools, Local Decisions’ education. devolutionary policy on the provision of English as a Federation joined RCOA and 137 other not for profit Second Language and multicultural education. organisations in a letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott Federation looks forward to contributing to RCOA’s to protest his, and his government’s, use of the term numerous consultation forums on the future of Australia’s “illegal maritime arrivals”. Such terminology seeks to resettlement program, impacts on current government create further divisions in our multicultural society, policy in this area and the role that public education negatively impacts on our ability to be socially cohesive plays in this process. and has the potential to incite further racism against Amber Flohm these particular groups of refugees and asylum seekers. Federation’s representative

40 The Centre also released a major report on the effec- Welfare Rights Centre tiveness of the Federal Government’s Rent Assistance The Welfare Rights Centre is an independent, not for program, which highlighted more than 55,000 people profit, community organisation which holds charitable in NSW pay more than half of their income in rent. status. The Centre provides specialist information and legal advice about social security, family assistance Report and employment assistance. The Centre also runs a The Welfare Rights Centre and the National Welfare casework service. Much of the casework has an em- Rights Network published Home on the range or a home phasis on early intervention. out of range: How Commonwealth Rent Assistance is During the past 12 months the Centre has managed failing many low income Australians. to regain some funding after the May 2013 NSW Depart- ment of Youth and Community Affairs’ announcement Policy discussion papers that the work of the Centre did not comply with the NSW Government priorities and therefore would not provide Policy discussion papers included: any further funds. Fortunately, with some additional •Issues paper: Failure to consider cultural and religious funding from the Commonwealth Attorney-General and background in investigations into relationship status of Social Services departments, and a lot of help from the Arabic speaking single mothers , October 2012 landlord, the National Tertiary Education Union, the •Student Payments and OTEN: Centrelink service de- Centre has been able to continue its work. Funds are still livery issues provided by the Legal Aid Commission and the Trade •A home on the range or a home out of range: How Com- Union Program. Participating unions are Federation, monwealth Rent Assistance is failing many low income NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, Public Service Australians, May 2013. Association, Independent Education Union, HESTA, he Centre’s Board of Directors represent com- Police Association of NSW and the United Voice NSW. munity, union and interest groups. I have represented Federation since October 21, 1992 Casework Tand was re-elected as the Company Secretary/Public Officer and to the Finance and Staffing Committee. The casework service comprises a telephone advice The Board met six times over the past financial year service, research, assistance with self-advocacy, inter- and I attended all meetings. ventions directly with Centrelink, written advocacy The Centre is staffed by paid workers and volunteers. on behalf of clients and written or personal represen- The Centre could not operate without its dedicated tation before the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, volunteers. the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, or the Federal Carol Howard Court. From July 2012 to June 2013 the Centre pro- Federation’s representative vided assistance to 2259 clients. The casework service provided 4739 “advice activities” and opened 748 new cases (both major and minor) in the period. Advocacy Workers Health Centre included representing clients in internal Centrelink reviews and with appeals to the Social Security Ap- Federation is represented on the board of the Work- peals Tribunal and Administrative Appeals Tribunal. ers Health Centre and is one of more than 20 union affiliates who support the centre. Compensation preclusion periods The Workers Health Centre’s primary business is to provide rehabilitation services for injured workers. In The Centre continued to see a large number of cases order to do this they employ rehabilitation counsellors about “compensation preclusion periods”. These are and occupational therapists as well as having access to cases where clients have been precluded from social a GP and various allied health professionals including security payments, often for many years, because they physiotherapists and a remedial massage therapist. have received a compensation payout. This year the The Injured Workers Support Network, established Centre has had some great success in getting lengthy by the Workers Health Centre, provides a forum for preclusion periods reduced and assisting clients in hard- injured workers to gain information and support each ship to get onto appropriate social security payments. other. Support is provided via a website and face to face meetings in Sydney, Newcastle and Bathurst. Policy and media work Other services available free to Federation members The Welfare Rights Centre undertakes the majority of through the union’s affiliation to the Workers Health its policy and media work in conjunction with its peak Centre are hearing testing, hearing care and preventa- body, the National Welfare Rights Network, to facilitate tive hearing loss advice. This would be of interest to a strong national presence. Much of the Centre’s work our members who have spent much of their career over the past year involved highlighting the difficulties in noisy teaching environments. experienced by people trying to survive on the $35 a Federation’s continuing affiliation with the Workers day Newstart Allowance. The Centre worked alongside Health Centre provides access to a wide variety of fact single parents and their advocates to highlight the sheets and information on workplace health and safety impact of the cuts to Parenting Payment Single. The issues and an alternative rehabilitation provider for Centre sought to link their work to the campaign to members with workers compensation claims. increase the rate of the Newstart Allowance and other Angela Catallo allowances by $50 per week. Federation’s representative

41 Centre for Professional Learning

2013 was a very successful initial year of operation for the union’s Centre for Professional Learning (CPL). Nearly 900 members attended CPL courses in three different locations (Surry Hills, Blacktown and Newcastle). In 2013, the Centre presented 21 courses, including one major conference. Evaluations from these events were overwhelmingly positive. In 2014, the CPL is offering many of the very popular courses from 2013 and has broadened the range of course offerings. The CPL has also developed professional development opportunities for members in regional areas. In terms 1 and 2, 14 courses were to be held in Surry Hills and Blacktown. It is pleasing to note that so far in 2014 there has been a significant increase in members enrolling in courses. In term 1, in excess of 1800 emails were received, 1067 applica- Participants at the Mathematics K-6 course used string to construct 3D tions were processed and 709 teachers attended events. shapes. One of the most successful CPL activities to date was and all time at CPL courses count fully for accreditation the March 2014 CPL English Conference which had and maintenance purposes. Courses are conducted 380 participants and focused on the new HSC English with the support of the Department of Education and Prescriptions list. Communities and BOSTES. Further courses are being added to expand the range The 2013 introductory course fee of $100 still ap- of curriculum areas and educational needs being supplies in 2014 to all courses except those dedicated to ported in 2014. In terms 3 and 4, the CPL will conduct early career teachers who will continue to have the 23 courses to be offered in Surry Hills, Blacktown, fee waived. In the usual fashion, schools are asked to Newcastle, Parkes, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga. The CPL meet the relief costs incurred by teachers attending plans to offer a large, statewide equity conference their professional learning courses. entitled Equity! Now More Than Ever on November 7. The CPL website has been developed as the focus Denis Fitzgerald, Director CPL (2012–2013) for applications and information. In excess of 12,000 Kathy Deacon, Director CPL (2014) visitors came to the www.cpl.asn.au site in 2013. More than 11,300 visitors visited the website in the first four months of 2014. Only union members are eligible to apply to attend CPL courses. It is estimated that more than 150 in 2013 and a further 113 teachers in term 1, 2014 joined or re-joined to ensure eligibility for attendance at a CPL course. Courses and conferences continue to be presented by highly experienced and skilled teachers, consultants and experts. Many of the courses also have the input of leading academics working in their specialist fields blending their intellectual work with the practical emphases of senior teachers. Courses aim to equip participants with practical, instantly applicable ideas as well as a strong intellectual basis for excellent teacher and school-based practice. In 2014 courses continue to concentrate on the continuing rollout of the new NSW syllabuses, which are aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Additionally, the program contains course offerings which cover other parts of the curriculum including the creative and performing arts. All courses have been accredited by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) 42 Committees

Federation will continue to develop a range of materials for distribution to public education workplaces to inform and promote activism in this fundamental area of Federation policy. The Anti-Racism Policy Committee includes three Aboriginal teachers; four teachers from a language background other than English; and two teachers working with refugee, new arrival and international students in Intensive English Centres. Federation would like to thank the members of the committee for their tireless effort and dedication to this policy area. Amber Flohm Officer attached Students in Intensive English Centres (IECs) implore us to stop racism. Assessment and Reporting Restricted Anti-Racism Policy Restricted Annual Conference 2013 called for the establishment of an Assessment and Reporting Restricted Committee. An The Anti-Racism Policy Restricted Committee has enthusiastic group of Councillors was subsequently elected. worked very hard to develop and implement new The committee’s task is to review assessment and policy. reporting policy, taking account of developments at Federation’s new Anti-Racism Policy addresses national and state level. It is considering research funding changes imposed by Local Schools, Local around issues related to international testing as well Decisions and Departmental restructures, and the as more valid means of assessment. new social and political context in which public Research-based reports are to be provided to Council. sector educators do their job. It is also anticipated that the committee will develop Adopted by November Council, the policy con- policy recommendations for Executive’s consideration. tains 13 action points for implementation. These A special mention must be made of the expert include responsibilities for planning, conducting guidance from Senior Vice President Joan Lemaire at and reporting on strategies that address cultural each meeting. diversity and hold the Department to account, including the professional development of anti-racism Dr Mary Fogarty contact officers (ARCOs) in every public school. Officer attached The policy seeks to ensure that anti-racism education remains an important part of ongoing learning for every student, teacher and community member, Central Schools Restricted rather than something delivered to a minority. The Central Schools Restricted Committee met three Implementation of this significant policy has times to pursue issues related to central schools. begun and negotiations with Department of Educa- Two newsletters, with resources, were published tion and Communities to establish greater and more to help members campaign for the Gonski schools transparent accountability mechanisms through funding agreement and establish effective workplace its role in various working parties in relation to committees. multicultural education have begun. This year the committee moved to have closer Surveys to schools around anti-racism strategies contact with individual schools with each committee and multicultural activities are well on the way. member receiving responsibility for approximately Survey findings will further develop campaign ac- eleven schools. While members are required to contact tion around anti-racism education. the committee via the Organiser attached, committee A Friday Forum is proposed for later in 2014 based members will communicate with their allotted schools around current academic research on multicultural to remain representative of the issues affecting all education and social inclusion. central schools. Preliminary statistical analysis has begun to The committee has applied to Federation to hold a better target Federation support and training to central schools conference in term 4, 2014. increase the active participation and engagement Bert Bertalli of our culturally diverse membership. Officer attached 43 recommends resources to include in the library. Eric Pearson Study Grant Restricted Recommendations from the committee have facilitated In the past 12 months the Eric Pearson Study Grant Federation representation conferences including the Restricted Committee revised the grant guidelines, pre- Asia-Pacific Outgames Human Rights Forum and the Safe pared a leaflet outlining the scheme and was involved School Coalition Australia’s 2014 National Symposium; in the development of an online application form. and participation in AEU meetings. The announcement of the 2014 award will be made Through the work of the committee, Federation has at Council on September 13, 2014. Leaflets will be participated in community events, such as Mardi Gras, available at Annual Conference and the closing date to maintain public support of the GLBTI community, as for applications will be September 2, 2014. well as collaborating with GLBTI community groups to Committee members liaise with the awardee and support transgender and intersex people in education. provide guidance as to the research to be undertaken This year’s committee members include Craig Austin, and research facilities to be accessed. They also moni- Wayne Donovan, Kat Hand, Jenny Moes and Daniel Young. tor the ongoing progress of the awardee’s research Mel Smith throughout the year. Officer attached The 2013 award went to Antoinette Aboud who is researching strategies and tactics useful in building a campaign against the Smart and Skilled agenda. Sam Lewis Peace Rectricted Dr Mary Fogarty Gratitude must be expressed to all those teachers who Officer Attached encouraged and organised entries from both the school and post school sector for the Sam Lewis Peace Prize. For the third successive year there has been a steady Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and increase in entries. Most pleasing is the greater diver- Transgender Restricted sity of schools from which entries originate. In the past 12 months the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Restricted Committee has worked toward implementing a number of action points in Federation’s 2011 Annual Conference decision “Gender, sexuality and identity”. Actions have included calling on the DEC to update policies and advice to workplaces that address issues related to people of diverse sex, sexuality and gender and to provide explicit direction to schools on their responsibility to address homophobia. Federation has expressed its support for the Proud School program, or a like program, to provide support for schools. Other action includes approaching the DEC regarding its Workforce Development Plan to ensure that workers of diverse sex, sexuality and gender are considered in the development and implementation of DEC workforce policies and practices. Additionally, through the work of the committee, Federation has sought to have DEC enrolment forms modified to be inclusive of people of diverse sex, sexuality and gender; and additional support be provided to support transgender or intersex students and/or parents. Committee members have assisted Federation to call on universities to ensure all pre-service teacher training education courses include compulsory units in sexuality education, with the aim of equipping pre-service teachers with the skills and knowledge to effectively support students who are (or are perceived to be) same sex attracted or gender diverse. Deacon University already has a compulsory unit in its personal development/health/ physical education teacher training. Federation’s journal has published articles (many A further positive development is the presentation of which have been authored by committee members) of a new grand prize for the overall best entry and about inclusive practices, challenge homophobia and equally as pleasing is that this award was presented to raise awareness of on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender assistant principal Rob Webster on behalf of Cabramatta and intersex (GLBTI) issues. The committee also writes Public School at November Concil 2013. content for the GLBTI newsletter, which is published Special thanks to committee members Peter Weit- once a term and distributed to all Federation workplaces. zel, Janine Kitson, Tim Clay and Glynnis Brown for The committee regularly updates resources avail- their hard work. able on the GLBTI section of Federation’s website and The Peace Prize honours the magnificent former 44 Federation President Sam Lewis. It encourages students to complete works of art and literature and the like focused on the important notion of peace. Sam Lewis Peace prizes

Grand prize: Cabramatta PS Class 5L TAFE Merit: Blue Mountains TAFE Years 11–12 No awards were conferred in this division Years 7–10 1st: Cleveland IEC School 2nd: Vinee Bhandan (Blacktown Boys HS), Omid Azizi (Blacktown Boys HS), Cameron Heydeman (Blacktown Boys HS) Merit: Manny Chohan (Blacktown Boys HS), Hamza Warsi (Blacktown Boys HS), Peter Hemans (Sydney South HS), Natasa Birch (Sydney South HS), Emily Glyde (Southern Cross Distance Ed) Years 3–6 2nd: Ariana Tsitsos (Kingsgrove PS), Rohan Sharma (Baulkham Hills Nth PS), Kamrod Jizan (Baulkham Hills Nth PS) Merit: Jarrah Carlile (Kangaroo Valley PS), Rania Nand (Kingsgrove PS), Loretta Ka- launi-Epati (Kingsgrove PS), Aleyna Sinmaz (Baulkham Hills Nth PS) Years K–2 1st: Cabramatta Public School / 2L location has been reached. In addition, all schools will 2nd: Kai Sleeman (Temora PS), Marieke Carlile be required to promote the union’s role in the Tree (Kangaroo Valley PS) Levy project as a condition of accepting the grant. Merit: Billie Wild (Darlington PS), Kaspar Local teacher associations are encouraged to promote Graham-Conrey (Darlington PS) the union program. Applications must be endorsed at an Association meeting and each successful school is Theo Bougatsas to report back to their Association about the outcome Organiser of the Tree Levy project. Once again, the support of the members of the Tree Tree Levy Restricted Levy Committee, who volunteered their time to this 2013 was a record year for the Tree Levy. A total of Federation initiative on top of all their other teaching 80 schools successfully applied for and received a and Federation responsibilities, was key to the success grant of up to $400 to plant native trees and shrubs in of the program and greatly appreciated. their school grounds. The previous highest number of recipient schools was 36 schools, reached in 2012. 2013 Tree Levy Grants The increase in applications was in part due to a number of positive changes to the Tree Levy procedures School Name Association for schools. The revised procedures were developed by Albion Park High School South Illawarra the Tree Levy Committee in 2012 for implementation in 2013. These included simplifying and clarifying the Asquith Boys High School Hornsby criteria for schools, increasing the use of email and internet communication in the submission process. Awabakal Environmental Education Centre Lake Macquarie The use of glossy promotional posters for the Tree Beckom Public School Ardlethan Levy was completely eliminated in 2013 — another win for the environment. Birrong Boys High School Canterbury-Bankstown Schools that received a Tree Levy grant were asked Boambee Public School Coffs Harbour to acknowledge in their community that the grant was provided by Federation. The union’s website Bombala Public School Bombala was used to provide information to support school applications, including providing examples of ways Bonnyrigg High School Liverpool that schools could promote their Tree Levy project. Bourke Public School Bourke Due to the very significant increase in the number of schools funded under the program the union was Brighton-Le-Sands Public School St George not able to provide schools with an additional $100 Broulee Public School Moruya on evidence of promoting the grant. In 2014, grants will be capped when the budget al- 45 was also viewed as a useful assessment and planning tool. Bulli High School Illawarra Questions about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Bullimbal School Tamworth Data, particularly about how it will link to funding and how the verification of evidence will be monitored to ensure David Ferguson education sectors accurately represent the number of stu- Officer attached dents with disability in their school were put to the Depart- ment officers of the Disability Programs Directorate. The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data is acknowledged Special Education Restricted by the Department and Federal Government as a neces- The Special Education Restricted Committee has met three sary piece of work to inform the Gonski disability loading. times since last Annual Conference. The much anticipated Gonski loading, whose implemen- The committee has worked on a framework from which tation was delayed while the formula for determining the to develop a comprehensive special education policy, as distribution of funds is developed, faced further delay under called for by Annual Conference 2013. the Abbott Government. The committee looked at ways of In order to organise the priorities of the committee maintaining the pressure on the Federal Government to for the next two years, committee members mapped out deliver the loading from the beginning of 2015. To extend the various challenges faced by schools and teachers in non-needs based funding, would see a $2 billion shortfall meeting the special needs of students. Most significantly, in the investment required to ensure the loading reaches the committee worked to articulate a vision for specialist all students with a disability, as defined by the Disability provision and education to support and engage all learners Discrimination Act. which involved scrutinising special education, inclusion, Committee members gave early consideration to the student indiscipline and the role of schooling; and calling for potential impact of the National Disability Insurance greater focus on early detection and intervention, together Scheme on public schools, teachers and their students; with mental health support. particularly in relation to the future of the Department of Federation has commissioned research from the Uni- Ageing, Disability and Home Care. The National Disability versity of Sydney to provide a snapshot of the learning Insurance Scheme site had not, at the time of writing this and support available to students with disabilities in pub- report, involved any school aged children, so the actual lic schools in NSW, with a view to inform how additional impact had not yet been experienced. The Department has investment should be spent to maximise student, school reported it will develop protocols regarding the interaction and system outcomes. The Special Education Restricted of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and NSW Committee reviewed the research focus and research tools public schools. The committee also considered opportuni- (questions) at various stages. The research will be carried ties for future campaigning in light of the delineation of out across a 15 per cent sample of randomly selected NSW responsibilities outlined in the Government’s Principles to public schools. Determine the Responsibilities of the NDIS and Other Service Committee members also worked on updating existing Systems. Federation materials relating to special education, with Committee members were representatives on the Board the view to finalising a special education information and of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) organising package for Federation Workplace Committees Special Education Advisory Committee. They also partici- in 2014. Part of this work included the development of new pated in the Mental Health Support campaigns course. The materials specifying teacher responsibilities in regards to course looked at students’ mental health support needs, programming for students with disability, in particular the focusing on the development of student resilience; the development of Individual Education Plans. need for expertise at all levels of the Department; the The committee stayed abreast of developments with requirement of a whole of government approach; and Every Student, Every School; the Personalised Learning developing principles of a ‘wellbeing school’. Committee and Support Signposting Tool (PLASST); the Nationally members were also co-presenters of the Centre for Profes- Consistent Collection of Data; the Gonski disability loading sional Learning’s Teaching students with disability in the and Resource Allocation Model; and the National Disability mainstream classroom course and participated in working Insurance Scheme. The committee also monitored the prog- parties to review and further develop Federation’s special ress of Federation’s special education initiatives. Committee education policy. members also attended an information session about the The committee will continue to interrogate the direction Department’s captioning trial, Ai-Media Live Captioning. of education and specialist provision for students with dis- In relation to Every Student, Every School the commit- ability and support needs, identifying necessary structural tee’s primary focus has been about the watering down of and cultural improvements and change, as well as the expertise via the reclassification of support teachers. The resources and support required to deliver these. committee heard anecdotal evidence of learning and sup- Committee members will work on creating opportunities port teachers feeling overwhelmed by the role’s breadth and to build strong connections and alliances with disability and feeling their expertise was undervalued and/or misused. parent groups, academics and other disciplines. Concern was also raised over early career teachers, and Claudia Vera teachers without expertise in learning and support, being Officer attached appointed to the learning and support teacher position. The committee monitored the verification trial and transition to full implementation of the PLASST. The tool in itself was viewed as a valuable resource for teachers in planning for learning and support of students. The Student Profile Report generated from completion of the PLASST

46 Corrective Services

Corrective Services NSW is conducting a review of the op- folders, et cetera) and to allow a contribution to fees for erations in the provision of education services within NSW distance education students and text books. gaols. Possible teacher/education staff re-deployments and The $20 million increase in the education budget transfers have been foreshadowed by Corrective Services within Corrective Services NSW over the four years of the NSW, particularly from metropolitan to non-metropolitan Coalition Government has largely been used to fund the gaols, although consultations have yet to commence. establishment of intensive learning centres in four NSW Corrective Services Teachers Association has sought gaols. Corrective Services NSW’s rationale for the centres talks on the rationale and direction of these proposals is that educating some prisoners full time results in a and expects to be given the opportunity to participate more considered approach in addressing those students’ fully in any re-structure. language, literacy and numeracy issues. The intensive The Australian Education and Vocational Training In- learning centres have had a fitful commencement and are stitute (AEVTI), the education arm of Corrective Services not yet operating to their maximum potential. NSW, has been structurally removed from the division The Corrective Services Teachers Association has con- of Offender Services and Programs (which encompassed cerns regarding the large sums invested to address the alcohol and other drugs, welfare and psychology services), limited number of students envisaged, and the seeming and has been placed within Corrective Services Industries. paucity of research on the benefits of the intensive learning This has given rise to concerns regarding changes which centres concept in gaols. Each intensive learning centre may include an emphasis on pure vocational/skills train- has a maximum of 40 students. Given a gaol population of ing at the expense of a comprehensive adult education close to 11,000, with approximately two-thirds assessed as curriculum. having language, literacy and numeracy needs, the Teachers AEVTI, as a registered training organisation, has tradition- Association fears that the bulk of students may not have ally provided adult education courses as well as vocational their language, literacy and numeracy needs addressed. training and education via TAFE under a memorandum As the Corrective Services Teachers Association is a of understanding. statewide association, the association has experimented Corrective Services Teachers Association has been and with having teleconference meetings which has increased will continue to advocate for maintaining a comprehensive attendance and allowed more input from non-metropolitan adult education curriculum. members. Despite changes, gaol closures and redundancies among The Association continues to explore the introduction other prison personnel, there have been no loss of education of more inclusive arrangements for members. jobs within Corrective Services NSW. It has been repeat- The Association intends to continue its recruitment edly stated that there are no plans to reduce the number efforts, and to this end arrange gaol visits by the Associa- of education positions. Corrective Services Teachers As- tion’s Executive members and Federation Organisers. sociation is monitoring vacancies and recruitment action. The union will continue to encourage local gaols to There has, however, been a 45 per cent (approximately) initiate gaol cluster meetings where possible. cut in the yearly budget of all education campuses around Maxine Sharkey NSW for this financial year. This is the budget for operating Assistant General Secretary (Post School Education) expenses for each of the gaols, which includes all teaching Stewart Burkitt resources (dictionaries, text books, art supplies, inmate Corrective Services Teachers Association, President computers, et cetera), all student resources (stationery,

47 Library Presentations to members attending Trade Union year. The system is now web-based, the catalogue is Training and to members participating in Centre for available and loans can be processed instantly, anywhere Professional Learning courses; a library presence at there is an internet connection. This ability to process Federation conferences, and publicity in the Federa- loans on the spot, remotely, has greatly enhanced the tion’s journal Education have all played a part in suc- library’s service capability at events outside the library. cessfully promoting the library. As a result of the upgrade, the library is now able to An increase in the number of loans, the number of print receipts for loans. Of great benefit is the ability to members borrowing from the library, and the number display images in the catalogue, particularly important of requests for information processed, compared to for records of artworks. Buttons for browsing records the previous year, is evidence that these efforts are for DVDs and artworks have been established on the succeeding. catalogue’s homepage. Links to the library’s Pinterest The library uses the Libero library management travel guides and fiction pages add a lighter dimen- system for cataloguing and loans. An upgrade to Libero, sion, and has aided discovery of these resources by commenced March 2013, is still being fine-tuned. This members. Widget provides a version of the catalogue has been a major focus of staff efforts during the past for mobile phones and tablets. Statistics of library use The overall number of requests for information has slightly increased compared to the previous year. Requests for access to a number of oral history interviews, accounted for an increase in requests from non-members this past year. More details are in table 1. Table 1: Number of requests for information, and time spent, by category of user: annual to end April

User category Requests 2011 2012 2013 2014 2011 time 2012 time 2013 time 2014 time number number number number (minutes) (minutes) (minutes) (minutes) Officers 3171 2542 2614 2603 33085 33890 34220 30720 City members 94 84 85 100 3490 2770 2500 2520 – Personal use City members 35 19 25 27 1415 790 915 555 – Federation use Country 61 68 41 86 2770 2410 2170 2620 members – Personal use Country 25 14 16 10 1400 770 310 370 members – Federation use Student 4 5 1 0 135 170 30 0 members Other 9 85 87 70 205 600 575 420 libraries, organisations Non-members 16 22 14 55 490 775 330 2555 (individuals) NSWTF staff 754 574 531 531 7715 6500 7115 7230 School 1 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 students TOTAL 4170 3413 3414 3482 50735 48675 48165 46990

48 Table 2: Other indicators of library activity: annual to end April

User category / activity 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Active city borrowers 230 270 293 292 387 Active country borrowers 155 224 227 209 261 Total active city and country borrowers 385 494 520 501 648 Loans to city borrowers 1589 2109 2024 2255 2641 Loans to country borrowers 540 1148 1270 1090 1665 Total loans to country and city borrowers 2129 3257 3294 3345 4306 Number of electronic subscriptions provided to officers 46 37 54 45 39 An active borrower is defined as a borrower who has borrowed at least one item during the period May 1 to April 30. Table 2 above shows loans of library resources have substantially increased from 3345 items in 2013 to 4306 items in 2014, an increase of 29 per cent. The increase in loans is largely accounted for by borrowing by members attending Centre for Professional Learning courses. The library has had the opportunity to present resources to members attending these courses and the response has been significant. The number of members borrowing at least once during the last 12 months has also increased by 29 per cent. Table 3: Other indicators of library activity: calendar year

Indicator 2010 2011 2012 2013 Inter-library loan requests to NSWTF from other libraries 3 2 1 5 Inter-library loan requests from NSWTF to other libraries 9 11 14 9 Number of logons to member access computers 575 558 556 652 Wi-Fi keys issued to members ------60

Council Saturday usage

Library use on Council Saturday continues to grow in popularity. Members visit the library to borrow resources, particularly those listed in the Library Bulletin, which is published for each Council meeting. Members also visit the library to read the newspapers, access the computers and to make information requests, or for quiet reading during the lunch break. A librarian is on duty 10am to 1.30pm on Council Saturdays to assist members. Table 4: Council Saturday usage: calendar year

Number of members Year accessing library 2007 76 2008 86 2009 108 2010 123 2011 146 2012 151 2013 170 In 2013 the library was open for seven Council meetings instead of the usual eight Council meetings. The September 2013 Council meeting was postponed owing to a clash with the federal election. The replacement meeting was held at night, for which the library was not open. Despite being open for fewer Council meetings, the number of members accessing the library on Council Saturdays increased in 2013, compared to 2012.

49 Stock holdings Networking As more and more information becomes available in In 2013, the library continued its participation in the electronic form, it is often not necessary to retain hard following groups: copies. Extensive back runs of journals and magazines • Libraries of the Social Sciences (LOTSS), a network are being replaced with online access. Videos are nearly of Sydney based libraries, mostly from the public phased out completely. Current total holdings in the sector, which meets to share information and ex- Libero online catalogue are listed below. pertise • Union Library and Information Network (ULIN), a group of Sydney based, mostly trade union libraries Table 5: Stock holdings at April 2011-2014 • Government Libraries and Social Sciences (GLASS), Year an online inter-library loans network. Members provide free inter-library loans to each other. The Items 2011 2012 2013 2014 Federation library continued to contribute holdings Books 7167 7346 7303 7901 information for serials in the NSW Teachers Federa- tion Library collection to the GLASS database. Newspaper On November 15, 2013, librarians from Federation, issues 750 269 362 324 the Henry Parkes Equity Resource Centre Library at Journal issues 5479 3835 3762 3683 Whalan, and the Jill Sherlock Learning Assistance Videos 137 127 73 64 Memorial Library located at Oatlands Public School, DVDs 444 499 456 526 met for a networking and sharing day. The group was Other 933 1041 1086 1363 provided with a briefing on eBooks by Nathan Turner, Documents eBook librarian at Parramatta City Library. Following – internal the briefing and tour of the library, the group recon- reference titles 4601 4744 4506 4529 vened at the Jill Sherlock Library where verbal reports were shared on developments in each of the libraries, The library has acquired more books and DVDs recently particularly the increase in borrowing which is being to support requests from members for professional experienced by all of the libraries, and the challenges development resources. this presents to meet growing demand with existing staff levels. The clientele of the libraries varies, but all Library guides provide a library and information service to teachers Resource Guides are effective in communicating and in the public school system in NSW. It was decided to publicising the availability of the library’s information continue with an annual meeting as all participants and resources to members. The following resource found the meeting greatly beneficial for mutual sup- guides are currently available in print and on the port and information sharing. library pages of the Federation’s website: Aboriginal teaching resources; Adult literacy and numeracy sup- TAFE students industry placement port; Boys’ and girls’ education; Classroom management; The library accepts students who are studying the English language and literacy support; Environment and Diploma of Library and Information Studies at TAFE sustainability; GLBTI resources for teacher reference; NSW Sydney Institute for industry placement. The GLBTI resources for classroom use; Leadership; Maths students assist library staff with a range of tasks includ- K-6; Prisoner education; Refugees and asylum seekers; ing shelving, filing, cataloguing, archiving, digitisation Special education; Surry Hills; Women and leadership; projects, staffing the library desk, and assisting with and Workplace bullying. The number of shorter, Hot requests for information from Officers and members. topics guides was expanded this year. Eighteen Hot In 2013, TAFE student Maribel Morales undertook topics guides are available online and in print. Topics industry placement in the Federation Library for recently added include Assertiveness; Communicating two days each week over ten weeks during semester and negotiating; ESL.. 1. Maribel has experience curating art objects and historical photographs in museums, and was of con- Fact sheets on the intranet siderable assistance during the establishment phase The series of fact sheets developed for Federation’s of the library’s artworks project. intranet was updated. Topics are: 2014 guide for New and Relief Officers; Directors-General of Educa- Special events and achievements tion in NSW 1880 to date; Enrolment trends: public Members attending Trade Union Training courses in and private school students 1971-; Eric Pearson study Sydney routinely visit the library for a briefing on reports check list; How to archive Association records; library services. This results in substantial borrowing Leading officers – NSW Teachers Federation; Legal of resources and is also an opportunity for members Issues Bulletin check list; Legislation maintained by to make requests for information, which library staff the library; Ministers responsible for education in NSW endeavour to respond to before the course concludes. schools 1880 to date; NSW politicians’ pay; NSWTF Twelve briefings were provided in 2013, including to Women’s Coordinators; Number of government / non- members attending the Correctional Services cam- government schools in NSW 1984-; Number of male paigns course on November 13, 2013, and to several and female public school teachers in NSW 1851-; and sessions of Fundamentals for Federation Representa- Privacy Bulletin. tives and Women’s Contacts.

50 The library’s annual book sale was held on July Oral History Project 1–2, 2013 at Darling Harbour, so that it would be available to members attending Annual Conference. This The aim of the Oral History Project is to interview proved very popular. After the conference the book all Federation Life Members, creating a history of sale continued, with additional stock, for the remainder the union in the words of the activists involved. In of the school vacation, in the library at Mary Street, 2013 interviews were conducted by historians Many Surry Hills. $634 was raised, mostly from the sale of Ann Hamilton and Sue Andersen. When necessary books donated to the library but not suitable for the the historians travel to country locations to interview library’s collection, and to a lesser extent from the the Life Members. Pat Francis and Gabrielle Godard sale of books removed from the library’s collection. provided transcribing services. Silver Trak Pty Ltd The money raised was spent on new resources for provided digitisation services. the library. During 2013, eight interviews were delivered by Mary Schmidt and Melissa MacLean represent the the historians; eight interviews were transcribed and Federation Library on the TAFE Sydney Institute, 27 older interviews recorded on audio cassette were Ultimo, Course Advisory Committee for Library and digitised. Information Services. There are two meetings each year. At April 2014, 247 interviews have been conducted Mary Schmidt and Kerrie Tickner attended the an- with Federation Life Members. Interviewees are pro- nual Jessie Street National Women’s Library fundrais- vided with a recording of their interview on CD-ROM ing lunch at Parliament House in Macquarie Street, and a copy of the transcript of the interview. Tran- on September 16, 2013. scripts and recordings of interviews are listed in the A pop-up library operated at Women’s Conference, library catalogue and are available for consultation held April 6, 2013; Aboriginal Members Conference in the library. Anyone wishing to access the Federa- held May 18, 2013; Annual Conference at Darling tion’s oral history records is required to apply to the Harbour on July 1–2, 2013; New Activists Conference General Secretary. An application form is available on on October 12, 2013; and Rural Education Conference the library pages of Federation’s website. The project held November 2, 2013. is managed by the General Secretary Jenny Diamond, Deputy librarian Graeme Smart became a registered Administration Officer (Media and Communications) Justice of the Peace during the year and is available Sally Edsall and the library. for JP services, particularly to assist Officers and staff with the Federation’s business. Artworks Project Graeme Smart is a staff Health and Safety Repre- In consultation with City Organiser Michelle Rosicky sentative. the library has established an artworks project to November 2013 to January 2014 the library dis- catalogue and preserve artworks, including banners, played the winning entries of the Sam Lewis Peace acquired by the Federation. As a result of the recent and Environment Awards 2013. These included films, upgrade to the Libero library management system, audio-visual and poster entries. images for the artworks can be displayed in the The library visited the NSW Retired Teachers As- catalogue. A browse button for the artworks has been sociation meetings on March 8, and July 12, 2013. established on the Libero WebOPAC home page. So far Library resources were available for loan to members. 69 artworks have been catalogued and stored in a new The library provided resources for loan to members plan cabinet or the framed picture store in the library attending seven Centre for Professional Learning book stack. Pauline Kidd was engaged to catalogue courses that were held in the Surry Hills buildings and archive artworks for 20 days during 2013. Once during 2013. Relevant Hot topics guides were provided catalogued, the location of Federation’s artworks can for courses held offsite. be tracked using the Libero loans system. Staff training and professional development Library staff The librarians are professional members of the Aus- The library has a staff of three full time librarians. tralian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Mary Schmidt is the Federation’s librarian. Deputy and participate in ALIA’s Continuing Professional librarians are Graeme Smart and Melissa MacLean. Development program. Graeme Smart maintained Melissa MacLean is currently working part time and Certified Practitioner status with ALIA for 2012–2013. was relieved by Kerrie Tickner until the end of Janu- The library management system, Libero, was up- ary 2014, and since February 2014 by Pauline Kidd. graded during 2013. All staff participated in three days of upgrade training in March 2013, which was Library hours provided remotely by Insight Informatics. Melissa MacLean participated in advanced Word The library is open 9am– 5pm, Monday to Friday, training in January 2013 and attended the Libero User except for the Christmas closedown. The library opens Group meeting held in Sydney October 31–November for Council Saturdays from 10am–1.30pm. 1, 2013. Mary Schmidt Graeme Smart attended Excel intermediate training Librarian in February 2013. All library staff attended Dealing with difficult people training during 2013. Melissa MacLean attended Extensis training in December 2013. 51 Multicultural In the past 12 months members have raised a broad range establishing this service in the new departmental of issues, frequently requiring Federation assistance and structure. intervention. These have included refugee and multicultural Significant TV, radio and print media in May, June, policy; English as a Second Language (ESL) provision in November and December of 2013 and then again in schools and TAFE; Saturday School of Community Languages February and March 2014 ensured that community concerns; staffing and qualification problems in languages members in greater Sydney were well aware of the and ESL; and impacts of immigration decisions on Intensive importance of ESL provision in schools. English Centres (IEC) and the broader community. Further forums and activities are planned for 2014 Government policy decisions have impacted on the to continue to support this important campaign. provision of multicultural education in schools and TAFE like never before. The cuts to multicultural programs in New languages curriculum for K–10 schools and TAFE, and the NSW Government’s devolution agenda were at the forefront of much of Federation’s work. Federation intervened in the Board of Studies, Teaching Campaigning for Gonski school funding in multicultural and Educational Standards’ (BOSTES’s) proposed new communities was also a significant focus. languages curriculum for K–10. While many positive de- Federation has responded to individual and systems velopments in languages education were outlined in the matters from members in IECs, community languages consultation paper, there were also some significant areas programs, ESL, anti-racism education, and refugee and of concern which required further consultation, research migrant education. As appropriate, these matters have been and development prior to progression of these initial pursued at a local level; at the Secretary of the Department proposals. Federation has raised many of these issues in of Education and Communities’ Multicultural Education its submission to BOSTES while also registering concern Advisory Group through staffing consultations, political that it was not consulted in the initial discussions for the lobbying and representations, and community campaign- languages review, conducted in 2013. ing, to name a few. Federation welcomed BOSTES’s stated commitment to educating the community about the multiple benefits Threat to ESL provision of languages education and supporting the delivery of such but reiterated that in order to legitimately raise the A forum for ESL and community languages teachers profile and enhance current languages education in NSW, was held in May 2013 to highlight the threat to ESL instruction of languages education must be delivered by provision, come the full implementation of the Local qualified language teachers. Schools, Local Decisions policy. Significant campaign- Federation adamantly rejected a proposal in the con- ing around ESL entitlements ensued. sultation paper to allow students to study two of the three Resources to assist members in their ESL campaign strands titled Language awareness, Intercultural under- lobbying have been developed and are available via standing and Language learning. Effectively, this would the Campaigns tab on the front page of Federation’s allow students to engage in knowledge and study around website. Various journal articles were published; and languages without potentially having any instruction in emails and correspondence sent to members. the target language. The fact that Strand 3, the learning of Federation’s involvement with the ESL and Refugee an actual language, be “encouraged where resources are Working Party was significantly enhanced during the available” is a statement that not only does not mandate year. The working party launched its report, Passing the the study of language but suggests that if you can’t get a Buck — English as a second language (ESL) in the NSW teacher to teach it, then the learning of a language will not Government education reform, at NSW Parliament House in occur and knowledge of a language will suffice. November 2013. The working party seeks signatures for The proposal to allow more than one Aboriginal lan- its petition, to be presented to the Legislative Assembly guage to be taught during the mandatory 100 hours was later in 2014, which calls on the NSW Government to: supported provided that it was backed by the local public • maintain an effective ESL program in NSW, supported and Aboriginal school communities. Federation’s Aboriginal by a statewide service plan teacher members, both in language and other curriculum • guarantee targeted funding and delivery of ESL ser- areas, have identified the importance and obligatory need vices, staffed by qualified ESL teachers for teachers delivering Aboriginal languages to be qualified • establish an accountability framework to monitor language teachers. and report on the access and effectiveness of ESL BOSTES released its consultation report in February 2014 services for the ESL target group and its final report for the Education Minister’s sign off in • ensure schools continue to have access to local expert April 2014. Unfortunately many of Federation’s concerns support from multicultural/ ESL consultants, refugee were disregarded and the union’s strong defence that the support and community information officers by re- teaching of language must take place by a qualified lan-

52 guage specialist was ignored. Federation understands that clear advice to principals to facilitate the completion of the proposals as they stand are still before the Minister. these students’ education in public schools. Saturday school executives TAFE Saturday School of Community Languages executive mem- Unfortunately TAFE colleagues have not been immune from bers (including supervisors, assistant supervisors and cur- attacks in multicultural education. This year saw the last riculum coordinators) have been significantly represented TAFE institutes do away with their Institute Multicultural by Federation to address underpayment of their salaries Education Coordinators, the only positions in TAFE NSW by two hours each Saturday for a significant period of time. that had an explicit teaching component in multicultural The Department of Education and Communities’ ini- education. If that wasn’t enough, they merged or restruc- tial response was inadequate and saw Federation lodge tured their Adult Basic Education and English for Speakers a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) of other Languages sections in western Sydney to one regarding a breach of the award. During the proceedings area of ‘General Education’, citing confusion by students Federation requested audits of Saturdays worked, long of what these sections actually taught. There has been no service leave and superannuation entitlements. Matters of confusion by students studying in these areas with thou- what constituted ‘a normal working day’ were argued by sands of language background other than English students Federation in relation to long service leave entitlements and proving they found this a vital pathway to further skill that already taken during the disputed period. The union and employment. Of course, the real reason was further also pursued travel time claims, as well as payment on rationalisation of TAFE, resulting in the loss of numerous days such as centre staff development workshops, archive head teachers under these sections and significantly, the and planning days. Mechanisms for appeals, the nature loss of expertise in these areas of multicultural education. of executive meetings and workshops and the casual and With the soon to be implemented NSW Government’s precarious nature of these executives were also raised by Smart and Skilled, these course areas and services for Federation during the proceedings. migrant and newly arrived students, in particular, which Federation is pleased to report that thanks to Federa- are not tied to industry, nor are perceived to be profitable tion’s intervention the underpayments have ceased and in the new privatisation of TAFE agenda, are bound to be affected executive members in the Saturday School centres further reduced. Federation Officers have met with shadow have finally been paid correctly for work undertaken from education minister Ryan Park and shadow citizenship and August 2012 until May 2013. While this is a significant win, communities minister Guy Zangari on this matter and the the second stage of the process — covering six years of un- need to protect and enhance multicultural education in derpayment of salary and entitlements — is being pursued TAFE. Representations have also been made through the by Federation in separate court proceedings. Secretary of the Department of Education and Communi- ties’ Multicultural Education Advisory Group. Refugees and asylum seekers Gonski schools funding Federation raised refugee and asylum seeker matters with members, the broader union movement and other community organisations. In the lead up to the 2013 federal election, Federa- tion’s August Council endorsed the Australian Education Union’s July 29 letter to then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that opposed his government’s regional resettlement arrangement with Papua New Guinea. By unanimous decision the Council called on both major political parties to develop refugee policies that would allow Australia to honour its moral and legal obligations to ensure that asylum seekers, their families and particularly children are treated humanely. Federation continued to work in Gonski campaigners with multicultural school communities. alliance with community groups to publicise the issue Campaigning for Gonski schools funding was a sig- and participated in refugee rallies. nificant part of the work of the Multicultural Officer/ Federation also became aware that some refugee and Organiser. Hundreds of migrant parents and com- newly arrived students in public schools who had turned munity members were engaged in learning about the 18 were being denied continued enrolment in their local impact of the Gonski school funding reforms on their public school. In some cases they were denied enrolment children’s education, school community and electorate after exiting their IEC. Apart from publishing journal and through public forums, P&C meetings, local media web articles to urge members to take action, the Multicul- articles, meet and greets at school, market stalls and tural Officer/Organiser made representations to various the like. Campaigning will persist until the full six key minsters urging them to take action in defence of these years of Gonski schools funding is secured and the vulnerable and significantly disadvantaged students, who minimum resource standard met. are living in community detention as either unaccompa- ederation sincerely thanks all those members nied minors or with family groups. Federation has also who continually contribute to Federation’s mul- made representations to the Department to resolve this ticultural policies and campaigns. issue through the Secretary of the Department of Educa- F tion and Communities’ Multicultural Education Advisory Amber Flohm Group. The Department has committed to sending out Multicultural Officer/Organiser

53 Officers and Executive Officers Multicultural Officer/Organiser Amber Flohm Research Officers Mary Fogarty, Sue Simpson There are 50 full time Officers. The Presidential Of- TAFE Organisers Terry Keeley, Kathy Nicholson, ficers are elected by the rank and file in a postal ballot Rob Long, Sharryn Usher and vote at Executive and Council. The following were elected for 2014-2015: Trade Union Training Officer David Wynne President Maurie Mulheron Welfare Officers Angela Catallo, Nola Edsall, Janet Hannaford, Carol Howard, Kerry Johnson Deputy President Gary Zadkovich Women’s Coordinator Charmaine O’Sheades Senior Vice President Joan Lemaire City Organisers The Administrative Officers are elected by the Coun- Theo Bougatsas cil and do not vote at Executive or Council. The Michael de Wall following have been elected for 2013–2015: David Ferguson General Secretary Jenny Diamond Jason Gerke Assistant General Secretary Henry Rajendra (Communications and Administration) Michelle Rosicky John Dixon Leeanda Smith Assistant General Secretary Fionie Stavert (Post School Education) Maxine Sharkey Claudia Vera Assistant General Secretary Country Organisers (Research and Industrial) Rod Brown Susan Armstead Brett Bertalli Assistant General Secretary (Schools) Wayne Webber Nicole Calnan Aboriginal Education Coordinator Charline Waine Donovan Emzin-Boyd Jack Galvin-Waight Administration Officer Deb Marten (Media and Communications) Sally Edsall Duncan McDonald John Pratt Editor and Publications Officer Dennis Long Mel Smith Industrial Officers Lenore Hankinson, Greg Butler, Ian Watson Jen Dive Debbie Westacott Membership and Training Officer Kate Ambrose Marty Wheatley

Philip Von Schoenberg (Port Executive Macquarie PS) There are 18 members of Executive: the three Presi- Jennifer Mace (Bega HS) dential Officers plus 15 teachers elected by Council. Philip Cooke (Cessnock PS) The following were elected for 2014: Kylie Dawson (Lavington PS) Vice President Natasha Watt (Woonona HS) Denis Fitzgerald (casual) Kathryn Bellach (Granville East PS) Gemma Ackroyd (Lane Cove PS) Geoff Turnbull (Randwick TAFE) Tim Mulroy (Murwillumbah HS) Aboriginal Member Ben Ballard (Queanbeyan DEC) Custodians Margaret Vos (Pittwater HS) Dianne Byers (Narellan Vale PS) Executive Members Lindy Nolan (casual) Michael Sciffer (Hay War Memorial HS) 54 Retiring Officers

Sam Clay is teaching at Kooringal High School after two years as an Industrial Officer.

Wendy Currie was a Research Officer from 1998 until she was elected as Assistant Gen- eral Secretary (Research and Industrial) at the 2010 triennium election.

Nicole Major now works for the Australian Education Union as Federal Aboriginal Educa- tion Officer. Nicole was a Federation Country Organiser from 2007.

55 Online communications The role of Federation’s online communications in the union’s work continues to expand and evolve. In line with the strategy to provide content in ways members are most likely to use, members are now able to access information via their iPad and Android tablets; desktop and notebook computers; and smart phones. Website Over the past year Federation’s website has received, on average, more than 2000 page views per day. Campaign specific websites and social media pages are also created from time to time, often targeting members of the public. Newspaper advertisements and flyers direct members of the public to these campaign specific websites and social media pages. Social media Federation maintains three Facebook pages and a Twitter feed. It also links to Facebook pages maintained by the Australian Education Union such as the I Give a Gonski and Stop TAFE Cuts pages. Much of the traffic to Federa- tion’s main website and the digital versions of Education originate from social media accounts. Federation’s Face- book page had more than 660,000 visits in the past year. Future Teachers website A new website for Future Teachers was launched in April. The Future Teachers website includes forums and resources for new teachers. It extends the information The iPad journal app launched at the 2013 Annual previously provided on the main Federation website Conference and has since been refined. The Android and will be a useful tool in recruiting student members. version of the journal app launched in October 2013. The enormous variety of Android devices makes it difficult to provide content in a form accessible by all devices but efforts have been made to meet the needs of as many members as possible. The journal app provides content similar to the paper version of Education but with additional photos and video. It has been designed with an uncluttered appearance and simple navigation suitable for easy viewing on tablets. The journal app has been downloaded by 1723 members. The version of Education published on Federation’s main website has been modified to match the contents of the Journal app. Education can be read on smart phones through the mobile version of the Federation website. This postcard, promoting the Future Teachers website, has been distrib- Members receive emails that contain hyperlinks to uted at universities. the major stories. Education journal Membership card The journal, Education, can now be read on paper, Federation also maintains a membership card app that iPads, Android tablets, smart phones and computers. allows members with smart phones to access advice and

56 A scene from the Teachers Make a Difference “The Graduate” advertisement. information about their membership on their phones. YouTube and in the journal app. Campaign updates The membership card app also provides access to the are produced following Federation Council meetings. Federation library, details of Trade Union Training The union also produces videos of important lectures, programs, links to news stories and a calendar show- forums and public events concerning public education. ing teachers’ pay days and holidays. The membership app has been downloaded by 1740 members. Online payments and electronic invoices Teachers Make a Difference Electronic payments through the payment gateway on Federation’s website allow potential members to The second series of Federation’s Teachers Make a join the union and existing members to pay their Difference advertising campaign was launched on subscriptions from home at any time of the day or TV, in cinemas and online in April. night. These features have proved to be popular with The new ads are called “The Graduate” and “The members and cost efficient for Federation, while re- Apprentice”. ducing the use of paper. “The Apprentice” showcases the difference TAFE teachers make to students’ futures. As well, there is a Behind the scenes back story, “Nico’s Story”, to be used in online promotion. The Graduate ran between April 13–16 on metro- Work has been completed on a project to link the politan Channel 7 and 7Two. The cinema versions of Federation’s mass email system with the member- both advertisements ran throughout the Easter period ship system. This makes it easier to provide targeted on rotation in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and information to members and reduces the chances of Central Coast cinemas. emails being sent to people who no longer wish to The advertisements are available on YouTube, Fed- subscribe to the Federation mailing list. eration’s website and through ads on Google. They Work has also been carried out to update Federa- have been viewed more the 6000 times on YouTube. tion’s internal intranet, used by Federation Officers The Teachers Make a Difference Facebook page has and staff members to provide information to members. John Dixon had nearly 400,000 visits. Assistant General Secretary The Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direc- (Communications and Administration) tion in a TV Commercial was won by Ray Lawrence for Federation’s “First Day” advertisement, from the first series. Ray Lawrence was also nominated for another ad in the series, Last Day. Video production Federation has continued to produce news stories in video format for publication on the website, on

57 Records Management The Records Management section has made significant these historical records will enable prompt retrieval of progress and changes since its last appearance in the historical decisions over a broad range of years. 2004 annual report. The current back-scanning project involves scanning Completed projects and initiatives include: all onsite incoming and outgoing correspondence and • an entirely electronic records management system documents from 1996 to 2001. The current phase of • implementation of scanned records using Ezescan the project includes registering, scanning records and • capturing of emails in Federation’s electronic records creating appropriate (subject file) containers for the management information system, TRIM correspondence. The aim is for Records Management to • change of email allocation and distribution procedures hold a comprehensive electronic collection of records • TRIM software upgrades onsite from 1996 onwards. • scanning of all official Council, Executive and Annual Over the years there has been a significant and Conference minutes held onsite (Annual Conference consistent increase in the number of records created back to 1985 and Council/Executive back to 1995) in TRIM. In 2004 there were 6329 records created, • scanning of membership correspondence for storage compared to 19,800 records created in 2013 — a 213 in Stratum per cent increase on 2004 figures. As of April 2014, al- • back-scanning outgoing letters from 2001 to 2006. ready 10,449 records had been created for the year. The Ongoing projects include: increase is due to the capturing of emails, changes in • back-scanning and registering of correspondence mail processes and improved technology and practices. prior to 2001 Christina Parish and Amy Stokes • digitising Federation’s official Council, Executive and Records coordinators Annual Conference minutes. Current practices In 2007, Records Management redesigned the main TRIM file system in preparation for the electronic capture of records. Records Management staff have created more than 700 electronic containers (subject files). All records including paper mail, faxes and documents are scanned in using Ezescan software and desktop scanners. Emails are captured directly into TRIM from Outlook. Over the years, Federa- tion has regularly upgraded TRIM and in 2011 the union upgraded to the current version of HP TRIM 7.1.In recent years Records Management became responsible for allocating paper mail and managing Federation’s general email address ([email protected]. au). These changes have resulted in a more efficient distribution method for mail and improved record- keeping practice. Back scanning and digitising projects All outgoing Federation letters back to 2001 are now attached electronically to records in TRIM. This extends the electronic collection of outgoing letters to 22,821. This is a huge resource for the organisation in regards to preservation of records and for Records Management staff in their day to day work. In 2013 Records Management began a project to digitise Federation’s Annual Conference and Council minutes to preserve Federation’s records in the long term. The work has been outsourced. Minutes from 1991 to current have been completed, and the digitising of minutes held at the Noel Butlin Archives Centre from 1981 to 1990 is currently underway. Digitising of 58 Recruitment and engagement of members

A high density of union membership is essen- ney, David Mak, Martin Blake, Bronwyn Caldwell, tial to ensure Federation’s capacity to campaign Laena Allbon-Crockett and Zora Zaric. effectively as well as retain its influence as a political, industrial, service and professional organisation. New scheme teacher initiative A strategic approach to the recruitment and The New Scheme Teacher Recruitment Scheme con- engagement of members is crucial to continu- tinues to support Federation members who are new ously build upon the Federation’s membership scheme teachers. The initiative encourages new density. scheme teachers to join Federation for the first time or to upgrade their membership status from student Recruitment 2013 member to a casual, temporary or permanent category by giving them an opportunity to apply for Federa- The 2013 schools’ Project Officers targeted spe- tion to pay their first year’s mandatory fee with the cific areas across NSW, especially those with Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards. many beginning teachers in schools. Using the New scheme teachers who benefit from this scheme information in Federation’s membership system, agree to pay their Federation fees by fortnightly di- consulting with Organisers and Federation Rep- rect debit or automatic credit card or pay 12 months resentatives, the Project Officers recruited and in advance. upgraded 2605 potential and existing members to Federation paid the Institute of Teachers fee for the correct membership category. This generated 999 members in 2013. more than $1 million in annual recurrent income for Federation. Targeted recruitment visits provide potential Recruitment Incentive Scheme members an opportunity to join the union and for The Recruitment Incentive Scheme carried over to 2013. existing members to upgrade their membership This reward system for members included the chance status. The visits are also another opportunity for to win a trip for two to Vietnam. In November 2013 unfinancial members to reinstate their member- a new teacher from regional NSW was announced as ship status to financial. the winner of the 2013 trip. The recipient is an active On targeted recruitment visits, Officers also member at the school and association level. work through the school’s workplace list with the Membership forms continue to include a section Federation Representative or Women’s Contact in with the name and membership number of the finan- order to determine potential members and those cial member who recruited their colleague and each members who need to update their details. recruiter is entitled to receive a $20 gift card after re- Project Officers involved in targeted recruitment cruiting two new members and another $10 gift card in 2013 were Leigh Messer, Adam Willis, Chris for every member they sign up after that. Hayden, Penelope Colman, Michelle Hasking, The Recruitment Incentive Scheme is based on the John Black, Susan O’Keefe and Bianca Marie Low. premise that it is the members in workplaces who are Federation also met with potential and current best placed to discuss the benefits and advantages of members at Department of Education and Com- Federation membership with their colleagues. munities beginning teacher induction days and conferences in city and rural locations. All Officers of the Federation continue to incor- Back fees amnesty porate recruitment into their various activities. Unfinancial members were contacted by the union and given an opportunity to have their back fees waived if Project Officers 2014 they start paying their union fees through direct payments. This has resulted in hundreds of unfinancial In 2014 another eight Project Officers were enlisted to members becoming financial and reducing their risk work for Federation. These positions are focused on of becoming unfinancial in the future. recruitment and support for beginning teachers. The Project Officers work with the Trade Union Training Officer, the Membership and Training Officer and Beginning Teacher conferences Organisers to promote and assist with recruitment activities. The Project Officers enlisted for 2014 are Seven Beginning Teacher conferences were held in Kelly Campbell, Benjamin Taylor, Alexandra Heag- 2013 — one in Broken Hill, two in Bundanoon and

59 one each in Coonabarabran, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Corowa. Another seven are being held in Future teachers 2014 — one in Broken Hill, two in Bundanoon and one Student members are the future of the profession and each in Coonabarabran, Newcastle, the Central Coast the union has been working to improve communica- and Corowa. Beginning Teacher conferences are held tion with this group. In March 2014, a website for over a weekend and offer the participants professional future teachers was launched which provides a forum and industrial information sessions and workshops. for these members to communicate with each other Officers from Teachers Federation Health, First State and with Federation. Members with varying special- Super, Teachers Mutual Bank and Stewart House attend ties have agreed to contribute relevant answers and the conferences to support the beginning teachers. materials for the website. Sessions and workshops are conducted by Federation Officers, activists and supporters. Conferences are well attended and participants Other Trade Union Training have indicated that they find the conferences to be a In addition to Beginning Teacher conferences and major contributor to their professional and industrial courses, and New Teacher Seminars, the New Activists development and have praised Federation for support- Conference attracted many new members and activists. ing these activities. The conferences are one of the Recruitment and membership issues were included first interactions new teachers have with their union as workshops in Fundamentals for Federation Rep- once they are teaching in public schools. Many want- resentatives and Women’s Contacts, Communicating ing to attend the conferences upgraded from student and Negotiating Skills for School Based Federation membership or joined Federation for the first time in Representatives and Women’s Contacts and Associa- order to be accepted to attend the conference. The tions Presidents and Secretaries courses. conferences therefore increase the union’s profile and encourage a whole new generation of teachers to increase their activism and involvement with the union. Trainee Teachers Scholarships Fourteen Trainee Teachers Scholarships, worth $4000 Post schools each, were awarded in 2013 and continue to help support the union’s newest activists — education students A number of recruitment activities in the post schools who have joined Federation as student members. Two area have occurred throughout the year. A full re- of the scholarships are funded by the Retired Teachers cruitment report for TAFE can be found in the TAFE Association. The ceremony to award the scholarships section of the annual report. was conducted at the 2013 Annual Conference. The New Educators’ Network program and the Ob- Graduate seminars and university visits server program for Council meetings for Aboriginal and country members has continued to embrace new Final year education students are presented with in- activists and the contributions they make to the union. formation in regards to the application process for the I would like to acknowledge the membership staff Graduate Recruitment Program, the staffing system, who have worked extremely hard to maintain accurate casual and temporary teaching, the processes and membership records and have supported Federation requirements of accreditation and other professional recruitment activities as well as the ongoing demands and industrial issues. Representatives from Teachers associated with processing fees, updating the mem- Federation Health, Teachers Mutual Bank and First State bership database and answering member enquiries. Super also make presentations to the trainee teachers. I would also like to acknowledge the administrative These seminars continue to be successful recruit- support staff in Membership and Trade Union Train- ment opportunities, with most of the students attending ing sections who have juggled the ongoing demands joining Federation on the day of the seminar. associated with Federation activities in regards to the recruitment and engagement of Federation members. Student upgrade program Federation has introduced an upgrade program for Federation’s student members who are transitioning to teaching through the Department of Education and Communities’ interim casual approval status. When students are granted an interim casual approval status they are required to upgrade their membership status to casual (if appropriate) so they are in the correct category of membership and covered by the union when they embark on casual teaching. If the member provides their direct debit or automatic credit card details to the union, their payments do not begin for a school term. Therefore, they are given one free term of membership and reduce their risk of becoming unfinancial.

60 Membership type April 30, 2013 April 30, 2014 Education full time 35,854 35,357 Education temporary full time 5302 5700 Education temporary part time 1783 1989 Education part time 3585 3810 TAFE full time 3297 2871 TAFE part time 1977 1715 AMES full time 0 0 AMES part time 0 0 Corrective Services full time 77 88 Corrective Services part time 40 39 Casual 5641 5335 Registered 841 573 Saturday/Evening School 14 15 Life Members 56 51 Leave without pay 808 1084 TOTAL 59,275 58,627

As at April 30, 2014 there were 7500 student members associated with Federation, down from 10,562 in the previous 12 months. Kate Ambrose Membership and Training Officer

61 Research and Industrial In the past twelve months the Research and Industrial via an online survey. A VET Special Interest Group section worked on a range of issues including salaries was as a result of suggestions raised in the survey. in state and federal jurisdictions; the NSW Govern- Surveys were also conducted on teacher out-of- ment’s public sector wages policy; restructures within pocket expenses and the problems associated with the Department of Education and Communities and the implementation of the Learning Management and TAFE Institutes; federal requirements some of which Business Reform (LMBR) program in selected schools. arose from National Partnership Agreements with the states; professional and curriculum issues; and changes to NSW workers compensation entitlements, and work health and safety. The section monitored, reported and contributed to legislative developments. Additionally, Officers assisted a number of Federation Committees and Special Interest Groups; prepared information and resources; and developed Federation policies for consideration by the union’s decision making bodies. Research Research Officers have continued to analyse data, prepare briefings and attend meetings on Federation issues and priority campaigns including: • federal and state funding of schools, TAFE and pre- schools • corporate for profit education providers • regulation of vocational education Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational • National Disability Insurance Scheme and privatisation Standards • age discrimination • superannuation. Research Officers and a Senior Officer met with the Submissions were prepared on: Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards • the Pricing vocational education and training (VET) (BOSTES) President prior to every BOSTES board under Smart and Skilled draft report meeting. Issues of concern to Federation members • the Draft Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney and a and items on the upcoming board meeting’s agenda New Planning System for NSW are discussed. BOSTES board papers are collated for • Reforms to Education Expense Deductions every Council meeting. • Great Teaching, Inspired Learning Research Officers also attended separate BOSTES • ISDS — The Trade and Foreign Investment (Protect- meetings regarding: ing the Public Interest) Bill 2014. • continued resourcing of the new curriculum • VET in school issues Surveys • the provision of work samples for BOSTES in relation to ROSA and Preliminary Courses. The Research section undertook a review of careers Concerns were raised about: advisers’ working conditions. Federation used the • the compressed curriculum and associated industrial survey results to assist in a campaign to improve the issues working conditions for careers advisers in high schools • inequities in the Disability Provisions Program for and central schools. Results of the survey were used to HSC students. inform the Careers Advisers Association’s district and Research Officers are members of the BOSTES’s Voca- annual conference meetings. tional Education and Training Advisory Committee and The Research section also undertook a review of attend regular meetings with Federation TAFE Officers. the working conditions of vocational education and training (VET) teachers in NSW schools and colleges. Rural Education Conference Federation sought to ascertain all the additional tasks and responsibilities that VET teachers perform in addi- Research Officers worked closely with Trade Union tion to teaching non VET subjects. Issues mentioned in Training staff in the organisation of the Rural Educa- the survey were raised in meetings with DEC Officers tion Conference held in November 2013. 62 Research Officers assisted in the development of Group, the Eric Pearson Study Grant Restricted Com- the revised Rural handbook: a guide to teaching in rural mittee and the Assessment and Reporting Restricted and remote locations. Committee during 2013-14. As Officers attached to these committees and SIGS Research Officers prepared Head Teacher Qualification Committee agendas, issues carried over to Executive and meetings sought with DEC. A Research Officer represents Federation on the Head Teacher Qualification Committee, which meets on a regular basis to examine applications for head Industrial teacher status based on experience and equivalence when academic qualifications have not been attained. Industrial Officers appeared before the NSW Industrial Representatives from principal organisations and the Relations Commission and the Fair Work Commission Department of Education and Communities’ Staffing on behalf of individual members, and on matters with unit are also represented on the committee. Teleconfer- implications for specific groups or the membership ences are held fortnightly. More than 70 applications as a whole. were dealt with in 2013–14. Industrial Officers: • worked closely with Federation’s solicitors, Federation Australian Education Union Law, in preparing briefs and making submissions to industrial tribunals Federation Research Officers liaise with research of- • have been involved in separate award matters cov- ficers from other Australian Education Union (AEU) ering salaries of members in schools, AMES, Cor- branches. They share research papers and provide rective Services and the Board of Studies, Teaching assistance with research requests. Research Officers and Educational Standards. Either new awards or also attend a two day AEU organised conference. variations were achieved to ensure all members Federation Research Officers worked with their AEU under state based awards received increases as counterparts to formulate a response to a Senate Com- provided under the state wages policy with no loss mittee inquiry into the effectiveness of the National of conditions Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy. In • have been involved in protracted negotiations for particular Federation noted the creation of a “high TAFE and Bradfield College teachers. Negotiations stakes” environment around NAPLAN and My School. for this agreement were initially hindered by TAFE’s Concern about these pressures continuing to escalate on attempt to introduce new classifications that would teachers, schools students and parents was expressed. replace many TAFE teachers with workers on lower salaries. As a result of the successful negotiations Trade Union Training courses for a new agreement a joint union-employer man- Research Officers delivered sessions at a series of Trade agement committee has been established Union Training (TUT) courses including Fundamentals • attended meetings to update the Department’s work for Federation Representatives and Women Contacts, health and safety policies in the light of harmonisa- Communicating and Negotiating Skills and Women’s tion of federal, state and territory work health and Fundamentals. safety legislation and the introduction of the Work The Officers spoke about federal funding, the Health and Safety Act 2011 Australian Curriculum, national testing, professional • reported on changes to state legislation and the development and the role of BOSTES. likely impact on members. Legislation included the Industrial Relations Amendment (Industrial Repre- Centre for Education Statistics and sentation) Bill —relating to which unions have the right to represent groups of workers; the Industrial Evaluation Relations Amendment (Dispute Orders) Bill —a bill Research Officers and Senior Officers met with rep- to vastly increase fines for contravention of dispute resentatives from the Centre for Education Statistics orders); the Government Sector Employment Act and Evaluation in regard to the Tell them from me 2013; and the Election Funding, Expenditure and survey, gauging secondary teachers’ attitudes to school Disclosures Amendment Bill — Federation partici- and curriculum, distributed to teaching staff without pated in a High Court challenge over the legislation Federation’s knowledge. and the union’s position was upheld by the court The Destinations and Expectations of Senior School • have been closely involved in the negotiations re- Students in NSW survey was also raised with the centre lating to the DEC’s restructures. These restructures after careers advisers objected to a range of questions are one aspect of the $1.7 billion cuts to education staff members were asked in regard to the success or funding in NSW and are resulting in a loss of vital otherwise of career education at their schools. positions that support the work of schools, and the Regular meetings are to be held between the centre return to schools of hundreds of state office and and Federation to share research initiatives and keep regional based advisers and consultants. the union informed. • have been involved in detailed and ongoing negotiations with the employer over TAFE disciplinary Restricted Committees and Special Interest guidelines • asserted through the Industrial Relations Commission Groups the right of Corrective Services Teachers Associa- Research Officers liaised with members of the Careers tion members to access trade union training leave Special Interest Group (SIG), the VET Special Interest entitlements 63 • supported Federation committees and Special Inter- est Groups such as Federation’s Peace, Environment and International Issues Special Interest Group; and DEC’s Staffing, Cleaning, Communication and Consultative committees. • consulted with the Department in relation to the implementation of updated work health and safety policies • prepared submissions on penalty for teachers facing dismissal and placement on the not to be employed list • prepared advice around changes to workers compensation legislation and changes to the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act. Other matters that Industrial Officers have been involved in include: • recovering money for Saturday School of Community Languages executives who had been underpaid • consultation regarding Corrective Services’ review of offender management and policy • part time casual TAFE case • Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption • Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2013 • staffing agreement for 2012–2016 • placement processes for the Non School Based Teaching Service affected by the implementation of the new model of support for schools • military leave guidelines • Industrial Relations (Public Sector Conditions of Employment) Amendment Regulation 2013 •Crown Employees Wages Staff (Rates of Pay) Award 2011 • Crown Employees (Public Sector Salaries 2008) Award. The Research and Industrial section was ably assisted by Anna Uren as relieving Research Officer; and Helen McGregor and Margaret Vos as relieving Industrial Officers. Permanent Federation staff in the section are Te- resa Chan, Monique Marques, Dianne Seddon and Laura Todd. Rod Brown Assistant General Secretary (Research and Industrial) Mary Fogarty and Sue Simpson Research Officers Greg Butler, Jen Dive, Lenore Hankinson Industrial Officers

64 Special Interest Groups Careers Advisers Difficulties with School Based Apprenticeships were discussed at Careers Advisers SIG meetings and reported to Federation Executive. As a result, a letter from the General Secretary was forwarded to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Communities who responded that careers advisers were not expected to administer School Based Ap- prenticeships programs in schools. The State Government Smart and Skilled policy was the focus of several meetings. Careers advisers undertook to inform students and parents of the issues involved. Assistant General secretary (Post Schools Edu- cation) Maxine Sharkey addressed the May 6 meeting. The SIG meet at the Careers Advisers Annual Confer- ence in October to enable country members to attend a SIG meeting. More than 15 members attend meetings Volunteers James Witchard, Mark McDonald, Dave Mak and Katie Rose on a regular basis. at Fair Day. Mary Fogarty Officer attached not-for-profit organisation that exists to support young people who identify as sexuality and/or gender diverse. A number of SIG members (as well as Federation Gay and Lesbian staff and Officers) assisted the union to host a stall at Fair Day, the biggest community event on the GBLTI calendar and the launch of the Sydney Gay and Les- bian Mardi Gras. Federation’s stall was well received by members of the public who supported the efforts of teachers in creating safe environments for GLBTI students, staff and parents. Federation’s Gonski and Stop TAFE Cuts campaigns were also strongly supported. The SIG instigated new Federation GLBTI business cards, as well as the Association position of GLBTI Contact. Additionally, the SIG has worked towards the acknowledgement of significant GLBTI dates such as International Day Against Homophobia and Trans- phobia on May 17 and Wear It Purple Day on the last Federation promoted Wear it Purple Day, supporting rainbow young people. Friday in August. Mel Smith Membership of the Gay and Lesbian SIG continues to Officer attached grow. Any Federation member with an interest in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) issues is welcome to join the group. Industrial Arts Meetings are held once a term in Sydney with teleconference facilities available to assist members to The SIG held three meetings, enabling industrial arts engage in this forum if they are not able to physically members to raise and pursue issues with the Depart- attend meetings. ment of Education and Communities (DEC). SIG members receive emails twice a term with a Federation wrote to the DEC seeking clarification on copy of the GLBTI newsletter and meeting details. several pressing issues including industrial arts teacher Newsletters contain general information on GLBTI qualifications, equipment safety in schools, emptying events and campaigns, strategies for creating inclusive dust extraction units, workshop isolation switches, risk classrooms and safe schools, as well as training and assessments of new machinery, workshops and the resources for teachers. Past copies of the newsletter Australian Standards. are also available on Federation’s website under the My The SIG experimented with video and teleconfer- Interests tab, beneath the heading Gay and Lesbian. ence technology with mixed success. The SIG was active in supporting marriage equality Brett Bertalli rallies and well as being supportive of Wear It Purple, a Officer attached 65 the planning and implementation of activities of the Peace, Environment and May Day Committee. Kevin Tory, retired activist and International Issues nominated Federation Life Member, carried the Ab- original flag at the front of the May Day march. The The SIG meets each Monday after Council. While rain held off for a brilliant day and gathering complete there is a core of regular attendees the SIG also attracts with union buses, bunting and flags. support via its email distribution list. The SIG continues to build community alliances In 2013 the SIG was especially focused on Federa- with various groups such as Australian Anti-Bases tion’s campaign around addressing the fairer model of Committee, Ethnic Communities Council, National funding Australian schools formulated on the Gonski Parks Association, People for Nuclear Disarmament, needs based funding model. Australia Cuba Friendship Society and the Palm Sun- Across Europe and most of the developed world day Peace March Committee. an attack has been launched on public education Other topics demanding the Peace SIG’s attention and public services generally. Through the efforts of are the campaign for divestment from fossil fuel and the union’s long term campaigning in this vital area military projects. Senator John Kerry has been quoted: of social justice Australia has been the only OECD “Climate change is perhaps the world’s most fearsome country to achieve an increased level of funding for weapon of mass destruction.” As the Australian Edu- public schools. cation Union and ACTU maintain, acting on climate Guest speakers have broadened members’ knowledge change is union business. of human rights and political conditions in various Of ongoing concern to SIG members is how to ef- countries. Peter Brown addressed the group on the fect change and awareness through association and Schools for Chiapas project in Mexico and the efforts workplace activism. This remains a challenge. of the Zapatista movement to establish an autonomous Lenore Hankinson region and education system that focuses on building Officer attached community and cooperation rather than competition and exploitation. Peter is a public school teacher from San Diego and recipient of the US National Educa- TAFE Part Time Casual Teacher tion Association’s 2013 Applegate-Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award for his work in Over the past 12 months dedicated members of the education in the Chiapas region of Mexico. He has TAFE Part Time Casual Teacher Special Interest been involved in building a school and leading service Group (PTC SIG) have continued to meet to discuss and educational tours in indigenous communities in issues affecting part time casual (PTC) and tempo- Chiapas. The Committee welcomed further reports rary teachers. from Simone Museth, a member who travelled to the The SIG has provided feedback to TAFE TA Execu- area in December. tive and Council, raised and discussed member issues The SIG continues to pursue clean environment and maintained contact with Australian Education initiatives with special concern for air quality along Union (AEU) NSW Organisers, the Assistant General coal corridors. James Whelan addressed the group on Secretary (Post School Education) and Industrial air quality concerns in the Newcastle coal corridor. Officers. He is a director of the Change Agency, a not-for-profit The SIG aims to further the interests of part time, organisation which provides education, training, facili- casual and temporary teachers in TAFE NSW with tation and action research support for social change an emphasis on equity, support and unity. Any AEU groups throughout Australia and the Pacific. He is a NSW member may join the SIG as an attending or research fellow with the Centre for Policy Development corresponding member with no additional fees or and explained the consequences for the environment costs. In 2013/2014 the SIG continued to meet on and the effect on air quality if the T4 coal terminal at the Friday afternoon after TAFE TA Council. Newcastle goes ahead. It has been another tough year for TAFE with State A major focus this year has been activities to protest Government Budget cuts and labour expense caps hit- the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the possible conse- ting TAFE NSW hard. Across NSW courses have been quences of higher medicine prices, special rights for cut, campuses and/or sections closed, class delivery foreign investors to sue governments over health and times reduced and teaching staff laid off. While AEU environment laws, threats to internet freedom, and NSW has been able to chart the sad loss of permanent the race to the bottom on workers’ rights and the en- teaching positions it has been difficult to measure vironment. Petitions have been circulated protesting the loss of part time casual teaching positions and the agenda which has been described as being driven hours, so the true impact of these changes cannot be by the US on behalf of its global corporations. measured. It is devastating for anyone to lose their SIG members supported the Palm Sunday peace job but for part time casual teachers who have lost march and rally. It was publicised on Federation’s their job or who are forced to move on from TAFE website and in the journal in an effort to maximum because of a significant drop in hours there is the attendance. “Declare peace on refugees” was the theme added burden of not being entitled to a redundancy but as is traditional, the participants also demonstrated payout, unlike their permanent colleagues. opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and The new 2013 enterprise agreement was finally the threat of nuclear war. Federation members staffed signed off with an agreement to trial new job clas- a bucket collection to help cover the costs of the rally. sifications of band 3 head teacher, education sup- The SIG supported May Day activities through port officer and assessor. The SIG continues to be publicising the May Day Toast, and participating in concerned about the use of these positions and what 66 this may mean for part time casual teachers. How- most significant action on behalf of part time casual ever the SIG is heartened by the fact there are set TAFE teachers in more than a decade and is warmly processes, procedures and restrictions around the welcomed by the SIG. The SIG looks forward to fol- use of the new enterprise agreement classifications. lowing, supporting and contributing to this case over There is also a joint Department of Education and the coming months. Communities/AEU NSW management committee The SIG has once again been at the forefront of monitoring the trial and there will be independent fighting for and protecting the rights of its members. analysis of the trial throughout the life of the trial The SIG is committed to working for all members in and upon its conclusion. ‘non-permanent’ positions — both part time casual As always there have been ongoing issues around teachers and temporary teachers alike — with a view, PTC teachers’ entitlements not being honoured, such as always, to increasing permanency in TAFE. as payment for staff meetings or the use of related Thanks are extended to the Terry Keeley (AEU NSW duties hours. There have, however, been some posi- Officer attached to the PTC SIG), the Post School unit, tives this year — notably the win on payments to TAFE Teachers Association, AEU NSW Industrial sec- employees affected by bushfires and the new part tion (particularly Jen Dive) and AEU NSW. The PTC time casual teacher Federal Court case. SIG office holders for 2013/2014 were: In October 2013 there were a number of severe • Terri Quinlan (President) bushfires in NSW which resulted in the closure of • Christine Allsopp (Vice President) some TAFE campuses. A circular distributed by the Thanks to all for your support over the year but Department of Education and Communities (DEC) on special thanks must go to Christine Allsopp for her behalf of the Managing Director of TAFE NSW, Pam unfailing support and diligent work with the minutes. Christie, stated that part time casual TAFE teachers Finally, thank you to all the part time casual, tem- with approved hours in their Teacher Program Diary porary and full time teachers and AEU NSW Officers (TPD) would not be paid if they had not reported for who attend the SIG meetings. duty. This was in spite of the campuses being closed Terri Quinlan because of the fires and a direction to employees not President , TAFE PTC Teacher SIG to attend closed campuses. Upon receiving this information and being contacted by distressed members the AEU NSW wrote to the DEC to seek that part time casual TAFE teachers Vocational Education and Training be paid for all approved hours in their TPD. The DEC Federation established a Vocational Education and finally agreed that all part time casual employees Training (VET) SIG this year and two meetings have that had approved hours in their TPD for the days been held. that their campuses were closed would be paid for Prior to the formation of the SIG, the union sur- those hours. It is a stark reminder of the vulnerability veyed VET teachers to identify issues to pursue with part time casual TAFE teachers face on a daily basis the Department of Education and Communities. SIG and the far-reaching effects of a lack of job security. meetings have discussed these issues and others. Job security and appropriate remuneration for part Using the survey results and input from SIG mem- time casual teachers is a difficult issue that has long bers Federation wrote to the DEC seeking meetings been on the agenda for AEU NSW. In recent years to address concerns of workload and inconsistent there have been a number of landmark cases in the demands on members. Senior Vice President Joan Federal Court to support the notion that an employee Lemaire attended each meeting, addressing members is not a genuine casual worker when their work is of the SIG and reporting Federation’s progress. planned and a reasonable expectation of on-going Federation continues to pursue with the Department work can be evidenced. its responsibility to provide the necessary system-wide The nature of the work undertaken and the em- support for both students and teachers to ensure the ployment relationship that TAFE part time casual delivery of high quality vocational education and teachers are engaged in, are more often than not, training as one element of the curriculum offerings long standing and consistent arrangements which in available to students in public education. most other workplaces would be afforded with the Mary Fogarty appropriate job security. Officer attached The union’s Industrial section has been working with the Post Schools section on a case that will be taken to the Federal Court on behalf of a group of members. AEU NSW will seek to challenge the defi- nition of the part time casual employment category and claim back pay for the witnesses, as the union will assert that their employment should have been as a temporary or permanent teacher. In addition, the union will seek a declaration from TAFE NSW to ensure that the engaging of a temporary teacher instead of a part time casual teacher will no longer be at the discretion of the employer. Preparation of the key components of the case is underway as it is the intention of AEU NSW Branch to lodge the case in the coming weeks. This is the 67 TAFE National issues Enterprise agreement TAFE NSW, like TAFES in every other state and terri- Protracted bargaining throughout 2013 resulted in a tory, has been under siege this past year. new enterprise agreement, operative until June 30, Unlike other states and territories, the NSW Govern- 2015. The antagonistic tone of the early bargaining ment has not yet implemented the entitlement funding period combined with the rolling out of unprecedented model introduced through the 2012 National Agreement numbers of reviews and redundancies has had a del- for Skills and Workforce Development, signed up to at eterious effect on TAFE teachers’ morale. the Council of Australian Governments meeting. That The new agreement maintains all conditions. In line model, given the title Smart and Skilled by the NSW with NSW state wages policy, TAFE teachers received Government, was to be implemented from July this a 2.5 per cent salary increase backdated to July 1, 2013 year but has been pushed back to have an incremental and then 2.27 per cent in January 1, 2014 and 2.15 per implementation in place by January 2015. This model cent in January 2015. The agreement engages TAFE of funding will see TAFE NSW competing on an open teachers in a statewide trial of new paraprofessional market with private for-profit providers for most of its employment categories of Education Support Officer education dollars. NSW is already seeing a prolifera- and Assessor and an additional Head Teacher category. tion of new private Registered Training Organisations, No trial position can be created without the full agree- which, under Smart and Skilled, are just as likely to ment of affected teachers and must be signed off by a secure government funding as TAFE NSW. union Officer following consultation with members, In preparation for Smart and Skilled, and in re- before implementation can occur. sponse to Budget cuts and the State Government’s The trial is overseen by a Joint Management Com- labour expense cap, all 10 TAFE Institutes have been mittee made up of Federation Officers and high level continuously undertaking “reviews” of delivery. As a Departmental Representatives. The union and TAFE consequence of these “reviews”, course delivery has NSW have jointly employed independent researchers been condensed, commercialised or moved online, from the Sydney University Workplace Research Centre course offerings have been cut, classes amalgamated to evaluate the trial against agreed outcomes. The trial and hundreds of teaching hours have been lost. ends on June 30, 2015. More than 400 permanent TAFE teachers and support staff have received redundancies since January 2013 and this does not look like abating in the near Stop TAFE Cuts campaign future. Our members are feeling insecure in their A very successful launch of the Stop TAFE Cuts cam- work and are grieving the loss of colleagues and the paign took place in August at NSW Parliament House. loss of support services for students, yet they remain This is the most critical TAFE campaign in our history. active in the fight to maintain a quality and affordable The NSW campaign is strongly linked to national Stop public TAFE system. TAFE Cuts campaign resources and while it incor- 2014 is marked by the closure of the TAFE Training porates a high degree of social media, grassroots, on and Education Support (TES) Units. TES Units were the ground community campaigning has not been formed after central curriculum centres were closed neglected. Thousands of people have been engaged earlier this decade. More than 200 positions have been in one-on-one conversations. Activists have spoken at lost, ranging from SES5, CEO, SEO, PEO to Clerks, rallies and meetings and numerous public events on Grade 1 through to 12. These positions were previously a diverse range of TAFE issues. filled by highly skilled, able members with specialty Federation campaigned extensively in the lead up to knowledge areas; their combined store of corporate the Miranda by-election in October highlighting State history and wisdom is now lost. Government’s cuts to TAFE. Twenty thousand fliers While individual Institutes are now designated with were distributed at railway stations, pre-polling booths responsibility for the Industry Skills areas previously and the electorate was extensively letter boxed. The covered by the TES Units, the Social Inclusion Vocational by-election resulted in a 27 per cent swing away from Access Unit has been completely disbanded. Social the Government with the newly elected Labor member inclusion is now “everybody’s business” — Orwellian, crediting community concern about the closure of fire Government speak for the abolition of support. To stations and the cuts to TAFE for the result. date, it remains unclear how TAFE NSW will respond The brightly wrapped Stop TAFE Cuts van, affection- to the demands of this vital area. Access and equity ately known as “Vanessa”, has been a star attraction is at the heart of much of TAFE delivery and integral at local markets, fairs, fetes and festivals. The van to TAFE’s community service obligation, yet many is virtually a billboard on wheels and has been seen questions remain unanswered. 68 The Blue Mountains community voiced its anger about cuts to TAFE at a public meeting outside Springwood MP Rosa Sage’s office in March. outside TAFE colleges and local MPs offices. The NSW Greens have supported the campaign by introducing a Bill in to state parliament. The TAFE Changes Moratorium (Secure Future for Public Provi- sion of Vocational Education and Training) Bill 2013, has been read in both the upper and lower houses and is soon to be voted on. The object of the bill is to freeze TAFE fees; freeze funding to private providers at 2010 levels; maintain TAFE funding at no less than 2010-11 levels; and maintain TAFE as the predominant provider of technical and further education. Federa- tion and the NSW Public Service Association toured TAFE colleges and towns in the lead up to the bill being presented to parliament. The Greens’ bill has the support of NSW Labor and if it is supported by the Shooters and Fishers Party and/ or Fred Nile’s Chris- tian Democrats, it will pass through the upper house. Maxine Sharkey Assistant General Secretary (Post School Education)

69 Trade Union Training and professional development Beginning Teacher conferences Trade Union Training In 2013 there were seven Beginning Teacher confer- The training program has continued to grow to meet ences (two at Bundanoon to attract those teachers in the demands of our representatives in schools, colleges, the Sydney metropolitan area and one each in Broken other workplaces and Associations, and to specifically Hill, Corowa, Gosford Newcastle and Coonabarabran, meet campaign needs and requests from Associations. for teachers in regional areas. In 2014 there will be six In addition to this our commitment to training new Beginning Teacher conferences (two at Bundanoon, activists and new teachers has been an important part and one each in Broken Hill, Corowa, Lightning Ridge of Federation’s recruitment strategy. and Newcastle). This year the Gosford and Newcastle This year there have been 12 conferences scheduled Beginning Teacher conferences have been combined. by Federation and Training Union Training is involved The Project Officers assisted in recruiting Federa- in a number of these conferences. tion members and one of the motivating factors for In 2009 Federation’s Trade Union Training became an teachers to join early was their ability to attend a accredited provider of professional development with Beginning Teacher conference. It is estimated that Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards, more than 70 per cent of all participants either joined formerly the NSW Institute of Teachers. Federation is or upgraded their membership to attend a Beginning endorsed as a provider at Proficient Level in all stan- Teacher conference. dards. Many of the courses that Trade Union Training Project Officers in 2013 were Christopher Hayden, have run since May 2009 have had accredited hours. Penny Coleman, Leigh Messer, Adam Willis, Bianca Low, John Black, Michelle Haskings and Susan O’Keefe. Recruitment Project Officers in 2014 are Ben Taylor, David Mak, Alex Heagney, Kelly Campbell, Laena Allbon-Crockett, Graduates Bronwyn Caldwell, Zora Zaric and Martin Blake. The Graduate Teacher Seminar program continued this Beginning Teacher courses year, and continues to underpin our commitment to Over the past year Trade Union Training has continued encouraging teaching graduates into the public educa- to run Beginning Teacher courses. These courses run tion system and also introducing them to Federation. for a single school day with Federation providing casual The program is run by Membership and Training Of- relief. Some courses have been held in rural areas. In ficer Kate Ambrose. 2014 courses are planned for Cooma, Coffs Harbour, New Educators Lismore, Orange and Surry Hills. In 2003 a course was developed for 22 targeted new teachers from across the NSW. This group of new Core courses enthusiastic teachers became known as the New Educators (NEN1), a name which they chose, based Fundamentals for Federation Representatives and on the New Educators network in South Australia, Women’s Contacts and their comfort around this “tag”. They became The Trade Union Training program has continued very effective advocates and activists for the union to focus on training for Federation Representatives, in recruiting new members and activists. Women’s Contacts and Workplace Committee members The course focused on developing their under- through basic and advanced courses which are run in standing of Federation and its membership and the both city and regional locations. These courses have key issues surrounding activism within the union. It been well attended and there continues to be a high also developed their skills in public speaking, session demand with an increasing number of new Federation chairing and involvement with young members. Representatives and Women’s Contacts. In 2013 the eleventh course of New Educators was run adding an additional 31 people to this group of Advanced courses activists. The Organisers provided names of new Communicating and Negotiating Skills for Federa- teachers who had taken on Federation roles in their tion Representatives and Women’s Contacts schools and Associations to be involved in the program. As the role of the Federation Representative and The 2013 NEN11 have played a significant role in Women’s Contact becomes more challenging and with Federation’s 2014 Beginning Teacher conferences a greater number of new representatives the demand and in the development of activities to involve more for further training has increased. The number of ap- new teachers. They chaired sessions at the confer- plicants for advanced courses has increased. ences and talked to new teachers about the value of Federation will continue to locate one of these becoming active within the union at the school and courses in a regional centre to increase members’ Association level. access to these courses. 70 Federation Councillors As this is the second year of the biennium there are two Skills for Councillors courses and a Skills for Ab- original Councillors course. With a greater number of new activists becoming involved in Council these courses provide core training to increase the participation and confidence of new Councillors. Association Presidents and Secretaries course This course is now part of our core program and is designed to equip Association Presidents and Secre- taries with the fundamental knowledge and skills to carry out these roles effectively and also build on the members Federation experience and activism. Potential Officers courses These courses are run to offer activists an opportunity to understand the role of an Officer with the union. They provide training for Potential Officer nominees. Campaign courses There were a large number of campaign courses run since the previous annual report including the following: • New Activists • Project Officers • New Educators Network • Correctional Education Services • Post Schools — Women • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex • Fundamentals for OCAA members • Rural Schools • Environmental Education Centres • Special Education. Seminars In addition to the day campaign courses Trade Union Training has developed and run a number of two hour seminars in various locations as follows: • New Teacher Seminar — Professional competence: maintaining accreditation, planning and programming workshops for primary and secondary teachers — Penshurst • New Teacher Seminar — Working as a teacher and accreditation at professional competence with the NSW Institute of Teachers — Rooty Hill • New Teacher Seminar — Casual and Temporary Teachers — Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Taree • New Teacher Seminar — Communicating with our Communities — Surry Hills, Penshurst • New Teacher Seminar Developing a Curriculum Vitae and Documents for School Positions — Penshurst. Professional development courses/ seminars In 2012 the Centre for Professional Learning was established by Federation to be the main provider of professional development for Federation members. David Wynne Trade Union Training Officer

71 Welfare mean that Federation endorses or even agrees with the published DEC documents. As part of negotiations arising from the new Crown The Communications/Welfare section continues to Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) operate in a highly effective manner. The core work of Salaries and Conditions Award 2014, Welfare Officers our section continues to be providing relevant, accurate provided feedback to the Senior Officers on the sections and up to date information and advice to Federation of the terms of settlement dealing with performance members in an efficient manner. and development processes for principals, executives Members from schools, TAFE, Corrective Services and teachers; and the teacher efficiency process. and other workplaces who ring to discuss workplace A Welfare Officer is part of the Federation negotiating issues are answered by one of the six Communications team which is jointly developing the Performance and staff, one of whom coordinates the staff across the Com- Development Framework with the Department and munications/Welfare sections. Members’ questions or providing feedback on the implementation procedures, concerns are addressed by the communications advi- policy advice, support and training materials associated sors where possible; more serious issues are referred to with improvement programs for teachers, executives the rostered Duty Officer or the Duty Welfare Officer. and principals. This ensures that the significant ex- In the 2013 calendar year 21,016 calls were taken perience of the Welfare Officers in advising members by the communications advisors. whose efficiency has been called into question is taken Communications advisors responded to 2723 member into account in the development of these procedures. emails which were sent via the Federation’s general correspondence email address, Federation Representatives online or directly to Communications’ inbox. In 2013 Training there were 484 members allocated to a Welfare Officer Many of the Trade Union Training (TUT) courses con- for ongoing, individual case management of their issues. ducted by Federation contain a Welfare component. By dealing with the frontline calls, the communica- Welfare sessions for the TUT courses, available to school tions advisors take an enormous amount of pressure Federation Representatives, TAFE AEU Representatives, off the Welfare Officers and this allows the five Welfare Women’s Contacts and workplace committee members, Officers to: return calls that require Welfare specialist centre on employment rights and responsibilities and assistance in a timely manner; concentrate efforts in an strategies for protecting those rights within a legislative efficient way on the ongoing and difficult matters that framework. In addition, the sessions include current require expertise; and do many of the tasks described issues of concern such as workers compensation and in more detail below. rehabilitation, leave entitlements and child protection. Each March, a Welfare Officer is elected to take on the Sessions may include a discussion of a number of role of Secretary, Legal Cases Committee. That person welfare-related scenarios and exploration of possible oversees the administrative aspects of the union’s legal pathways for resolution. assistance program. The work of the Welfare Officers Although many courses are held in Federation’s has been supported by three secretarial staff, one of Surry Hills building, Welfare Officers travel to different whom is dedicated entirely to the secretarial work parts of the metropolitan area and the state to address involved in the legal assistance program. TUT courses. Each year a Welfare Officer attends with the Member- ship and Training Officer the DEC-supported Overseas Input into DEC committees and Exchange Teacher Program seminars. There are two policy documents held each year. The first is the Orientation Conference held in February for the visiting teachers arriving to Welfare Officers participated in joint Department of spend the year in NSW DEC schools. The second is Education and Communities (DEC) and Federation held in September for those NSW DEC employees management and consultative meetings held regularly who have been selected to work in another country throughout the year. in the following year. It is notable that the number Welfare Officers reviewed the military leave section of applicants for the Exchange Teacher Program has of the Teachers’ Handbook to ensure both consistency reduced over recent years. A possible explanation of interpretation with the previous Teachers’ Handbook may be the existing devolved model of governance and that terminology reflected changes to legislation within the United Kingdom from where the number and variations to determinations. of applicants has reduced dramatically in recent years. While Welfare Officers give advice to the DEC during Principals seem not to be approving the absence of its review of policy documents, this doesn’t necessarily their permanent staff, particularly in a year of an ex- 72 ternal school inspection. Reduced applicants for NSW Whether access to superannuation is available can- makes it impossible for there to be a match found for not be known until after the medical retirement has a teacher from NSW wishing to experience working taken effect. The Superannuation Board may require in the United Kingdom. an Independent Medical Assessment (IMA) to deter- The Welfare Officer provides advice on the rights mine that the worker is incapable of engaging in any and available reciprocal benefits and protection pro- employment at all, not just from teaching, before the vided by remaining a financial member of their ‘home’ benefit will be released. union while they work overseas. The medical assessment/s that have been used to base the decision to medically retire the worker by employer may be accepted for a decision to be reached; Superannuation, retirement, however they may not. If not the Superannuation leave without pay and the State Board will arrange for an assessment to be carried out; these are conducted by Medibank Health Solutions at Superannuation Scheme the expense of the Superannuation Board. When this Throughout 2013 a number of issues raised by mem- process was first introduced a number of years ago bers of the State Superannuation Scheme resulted in it was common that medically retired teachers were legal assistance being granted for advice and where being referred to the separate IMA but it is now more possible and/or necessary action to ensure retirement common that the Superannuation Board is accepting entitlements were protected. original documentation. Particularly difficult cases have resulted from imple- Federation advises any member contemplating mentation of a clause of the Superannuation Act 1916. self-referral for medical retirement, or who becomes A previously unknown effect of this legislation affects aware that the employer is making a referral for them members in the State Superannuation Scheme who to be medically retired, to contact the Communica- have been on lengthy (extended) leave without pay. tions/Welfare section for further advice. Until raised by a number of members it has been generally understood by both the Department of Changes to child protection Education and Communities and Federation that if a member was able to maintain full contribution legislation (increasing each year according to unit entitlement Amendments to the Child Protection (Working with cost) to the State Superannuation Scheme for the en- Children) Act 2012 were passed in NSW Parliament tire period of the leave then the exit salary on which without any notice or consultation with unions or the the retirement benefit is based would be that at the community. These amendments changed some of the date that the retirement actually was/is to take effect. definitions and processes associated with working with The effect of the implementation of the 1916 Act children and transferred the cost of the Working with is that regardless of any salary adjustment upwards Children Check from employers to workers. and contribution made to the superannuation account Under the present system child-related workers commensurate with that increased salary rate/unit can apply for the check and employers can register entitlement costs, the superannuation benefit will for the new system. Application forms, instructions only ever be based on the salary at the time of the on how to apply and phase in dates are found on the member’s last day of teaching, prior to entering the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) period of leave without pay. In each of the known cases website www.kids.nsw.gov.au. this was quite dramatically different to what they were Checks for workers in secondary schools and voca- expecting based on the known exist salary rate when tional education are to be completed between April the defined retirement date was/is actually reached. 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017. Checks for workers in Legal advice has been received that has prevented early education and child care and other education members from having their matters resolved to their settings are to be completed between April 1, 2017and satisfaction; despite having contributed according to March 31, 2018. the adjusted (upwards) superannuation unit over a Members who have to be checked before the phase- period of years unless the teacher returns to their job in dates include new graduates and retired teachers from leave without pay prior to retirement they will who request casual approval. The Department, like receive retirement benefit based on salary rate at the other employers, requires these teachers to pay $80 to time the leave without pay began. be cleared by the CCYP before approval can be given Access to Superannuation is not automatic if for casual or permanent employment. Welfare Officers and other officers representing medically retired Federation, the Independent Education Union and Access to ‘early’ superannuation benefit is not au- Unions NSW have raised concerns around changes tomatic once the DEC, as the employer, has approved to definitions, reporting and investigative procedure medical retirement from the teaching service. that are included in the current drafts. They also Superannuation is expected to be preserved until a opposed the imposition of the fee and detailed the worker reaches the nominated retirement date (either impact on workers but the Government would not 55 for women, or 60 for some women who elected this make any changes. date and men) for SSS (the ‘old’ scheme’) and State Welfare Officers will also update Federation’s in- Authorities Superannuation Scheme or Government formation leaflets to ensure that the advice they pensionable retirement age (First State Super). contain reflects current legislation in the area of child protection. 73 Legal Cases Committee The Legal Cases Committee meets prior to Executive meetings. The Committee makes a recommendation to Executive which then determines whether the request will be granted. The Committee is comprised of the five Welfare Officers, four members elected by Council, two members of Executive elected by Executive and the Assistant General Secretary (Research and Industrial). During the 2013 calendar year the Legal Cases Committee met nine times. New applications for legal assistance comprised: Legal (general), related to employment matters 146 new requests were considered by the committee. Cases covered a range of issues including disciplinary matters (such as Employee Performance and Conduct and/or efficiency procedures), victims compensation, motor vehicle accident claims, negligence claims and criminal cases. Workers compensation Changes to the workers compensation legislation have greatly restricted members’ access to claims for permanent loss of function (the percentage of whole person impairment which must be reached by those with physical injuries has increased). It was envisaged that this change may result in less applications for legal assistance, but at the same time the legislation provided the insurer with a wider range of excuses to decline claims so there has actually been an increase in the total number of applications for legal assistance related to workers compensation. Of the 143 new requests to pursue workers compensation claims, 65 were for physical injuries and 78 were for psychological injuries. The majority of such requests were either for disputed claims or for claims for permanent loss of function and pain and suffering settlement. Breakdown of new legal cases over the past 10 years

Year Legal/general Workers compensation Total 2004 91 299 390 2005 138 265 403 2006 87 220 307 2007 167 206 373 2008 126 195 321 2009 112 234 346 2010 89 189 278 2011 127 166 293 2012 161 171 332 2013 146 143 289 TOTAL 1244 2088 3332 The Welfare Officers wish to acknowledge the contribution of Assistant General Secretary (Research and Industrial) Wendy Currie, who has retired; Executive member Kathryn Bellach who has resigned from the Committee; Council elected member Sam Clay who has resigned from the Committee; Council elected member and Chairperson Sally Edsall; Executive member Gemma Ackroyd and Council elected members Lenore Hankinson and Rod Brown now Assistant General Secretary (Research and Industrial) to the deliberations of the Committee in 2013. Angela Catallo Secretary, Legal Cases Committee 2013 Janet Hannaford Secretary, Legal Cases Committee 2014

74 law related to education from educators and lawyers Work health and safety and workers both here and overseas. compensation The NSW Chapter of ANZELA also provided five grants to NSW teachers, four of whom were from public schools. Work Health and Safety Directorate On June 14, 2013 the NSW Chapter also held a Welfare Officers continue to participate in discussions twilight seminar in Armidale, where Jackie Seemann, with the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Directorate Partner Thomsons Law, spoke on harassment and bul- and were involved in the drafting of Federation’s lying, how the current law can impact upon schools; input to the revision of the Directorate’s Return to and Nathan Croot, Solicitor, Emil Ford Lawyers, spoke Work Program. on the new privacy legislation and how schools and Welfare and other Federation Officers liaise regu- lawyers need to prepare for the changes. The seminar larly with the Directorate to ensure injured workers was repeated in Sydney in August 2013. receive the best outcomes in terms of return to work On March 18, 2014 DEC Legal Services Director programs and other rehabilitation strategies. This has Michael Waterhouse moderated a panel discussion continued after the centralisation of most of the injury on the complex issues arising from the schooling of management advisors to one office in Bankstown. students with mental health issues. Educational, legal, mental health and student support service specialists Workers compensation legislation considered and discussed these complex issues. Angela Catallo, Nola Edsall, Janet Hannaford, Carol Howard The 2012 changes to workers compensation legislation and Kerry Johnson continue to cause difficulties for Federation members Welfare Officers as transition periods end and all claims are transferred to the new legislation.From January 2014 any worker who has not received weekly payments for 12 months is no longer eligible to claim any medical expenses. This has left members who are in the workplace but still in need of ongoing treatment, for example physiotherapy or counselling, with the choice of stopping treatment or paying themselves. It is forcing medical specialists to make decisions about possible surgery based on time frames rather than how well the injury is responding to treatment. An ongoing and as yet unresolved issue is whether or not NSW State employees, including teachers, can use part of their accumulated sick leave to ‘top up’, or fund the difference between the pay they are due under workers compensation and their normal pay. As this issue affects more unions than just Federation, the current proposal is to work with Unions NSW and other public sector unions to take the matter to the Industrial Relations Commission. This is the most recent example of where Welfare Officers are working closely with Federation Industrial Officers, Federation Law and Unions NSW to monitor the impact on our members of changes to legislation. Members who have questions or concerns about their workers compensation claim should contact Communications/Welfare by telephone on 1300 654 367, fax on (02) 9217 2487 or by email at welfare@ nswtf.org.au. Australian and New Zealand Education Law Association The association brings together legal practitioners, academics, educators and schools who have an association and interest in the legal issues affecting education. Three Welfare Officers attended the 22nd Annual Australian and New Zealand Education Law Associa- tion (ANZELA) Conference in Hobart, Tasmania in October 2013. This is an exceptional professional development activity as it allows the Welfare Officers to gain current information on many aspects of the 75 Women’s Action Program Federation has 72,276 members regardless of category, of which 71.4 percent are women. Despite a highly Gender breakdown feminised membership, women continue to be significantly underrepresented in leadership positions Percentage of members within the union. The Women’s Program is essential who are women Primary 84.9 in redressing this situation. Secondary 61.78 The Women’s Action program was established in 1975. While the program has evolved the aim to engage Post Schools 58.6 women in the union and encourage women to take Percentage of Federation up leadership roles within the union at all levels has Representatives who are women Total 62.9 remained unchanged. The components of the Women’s Program include a full time Women’s Coordinator, the School 64.1 Anna Stewart Program, Women’s Conference, Women Post School 48 only Trade Union Training courses, Women’s Caucus and Women’s Committee. Gender breakdown Anna Stewart Program 2013 Percentage of Federation Executive The Anna Stewart program is a vital affirmative action members who are women 53.3 program aimed at developing the skills, knowledge Percentage of Federation and confidence of women members with a view to Administrative Officers empower them to be actively involved in Federation. (including the General Secretary) It also encourages women to aspire to and take up who are women 53.1 leadership roles, be it at a workplace, local association Percentage of Federation or state level. Presidential Officers who are women 33.3 2014 celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Inaugural Anna Stewart Memorial Project in Australia. Federation’s Anna Stewart Program is in its 28th year and continues resources provided by the DEC and the NSWTF which to be a flagship program within the union movement. in turn has given me new and exciting information to Former participants in the Federation’s program include take back to my school and association such as infor- General Secretary Jennifer Diamond, former President mation about Meadowbanks, work health and safety, Maree O’Halloran and a number of current and past and Workplace Committees. I have learnt new skills in women Officers and Executive members. negotiations and understood and learnt more about what During 2013 six women participated in the Anna a vital part the Organisers play in informing members Stewart Program. The participants in the two week of what is important and what conditions are essential program were: to our everyday teaching and learning practices.” Heather Brockwell Amanda Millar Federation Women’s Conference 2014 Sharron Talbot Women’s Conference focused on women working together Carol McKirdy to secure a fairer funding model for public education; Kimberly Spicer protect and advance working and learning conditions Belinda Ndegwa was successful in her application for across the public education sector; and stop the cuts to the term Anna Stewart position. She attended Executive, TAFE. Women from across NSW, as well as a delegation Officer and Organisers’ meetings, Women’s Restricted from the AEU ACT attended. They heard from Construc- Committee, Aboriginal Education Restricted Commit- tion, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union NSW branch tee, Peace, Environment and International SIG and Construction and General Division President Rita Mallia TAFE TA meetings. Belinda also attended meetings and Unions NSW Assistant Secretary Emma Maiden. Del- with Unions NSW and DEC Staffing, and observed egates were able to participate in a variety of workshops. proceedings in the Industrial Relations Commission. “Attending these meetings broadened my horizons Trade Union Training to the world of the Federation and understanding the whole process of how we got to where we are today as Federation continues to run trade union training courses teachers and as a union movement,” she said. specifically for women. These courses are designed to “I have learnt so much about my union in my time provide women not only with skills and knowledge but here, I have researched different communications and the confidence to become active advocates on behalf 76 nent and temporary teaching staff, 52.3 per cent of principals and 60.3 per cent of all the total number of all promotions positions across the school sector. The rate at which women are underrepresented in leadership positions in the school sector is 8.5 per cent across all promotions positions and 16.5 per cent at the principal level. Women are more likely to be a principal in a PP6 school (the smallest primary school) rather than a SP1 (the largest secondary school). School Classification Percentage of women principals PP6 81.5 PP5 58.3 PP4 54.3 PP3 51.9 PP2 46.6 PPI 35.3 SP2 7.2 SP1 39.4

Women make up the vast majority of part time permanent and temporary teachers; however, it is interesting to note the largest group of part time male teachers is from the secondary school area. Primary Percentage of part time teachers that are women of members and the union. These courses are held in both metropolitan and regional areas. Classroom teachers 92.7 Promoted 96.3 Women’s Caucus Women’s caucus is held prior to each Council and also Secondary Percentage of part time on the first day of Annual Conference. Caucus pro- teachers that are women vides an opportunity for women to come together to discuss not only the recommendations coming before Classroom teachers 81.2 Council or Annual Conference but also to raise issues Promoted 8.7 which are of specific importance to them. Participation in Women’s Caucus prior to Council continues to grow and more than 100 women attended Submissions Women’s Caucus at Annual Conference 2013. In 2013 Federation made submissions to the Australian International Women’s Day Government’s review into paid parental leave and the Human Rights Commission’s Pregnancy and Return Federation celebrated International Women’s Day in to Work National Review. 2013 by hosting a morning tea, sending a delegation to the annual UN Women’s International Women’s Committees Day breakfast, and women members participating in the annual Sydney International Women’s Day Women’s Committee members for 2013 were Narelle march and festival. Hill, Jennifer Mace, Kylie Dawson, Deb Marten, Sharyn Marshall, Kat Hand and Jennifer Blevins. AEU Women’s Conference Members of the Anna Stewart Committee for 2013 were Sharyn Marshall, Sonja-Gai Honeysett and Narelle Hill. The Australian Education Union’s Women’s Conference was moved forward in 2013 from October to June, as the Charmaine O’Sheades conference focus was engaging women in the AEU’s major Women’s Coordinator campaigns. The keynote speaker was Anne Summers. Federation sent six women delegates to the conference. Women and the DEC According to the latest figures from the Department of Education and Communities’ 2012 annual report, women comprise 68.8 per cent of all full time perma- 77 78 79 80 81 82 TAFE

Brutal cuts to TAFE NSW funding, staffing and delivery the 20 children’s centres that operate across the state. of TAFE courses followed the State Budget in June 2012. The review was undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoo- NSW Treasurer Mike Baird announced a cut of 0.9 pers (PwC) and completed in February 2013. The full per cent to the TAFE budget for 2012/13 and the inclu- report, with financial data for individual centres was sion of TAFE teachers in the 10,000 public service jobs denied to the union under the guise of it containing to be cut. This amounts to the loss of $80 million and “commercial in confidence” information. The com- 800 TAFE jobs, including teachers. missioning of such a report is a clear example of the With an additional announcement of 1.5 per cent NSW Government’s ability to understand the cost of in further efficiencies to be imposed, the O’Farrell everything and the value of nothing. Government has made a mockery of its pre-election The Australian Education Union NSW condemns pledge to invest in TAFE. the initial 9.5 per cent fee increase that has resulted Hunter TAFE teachers, staff and students protested against budget cuts for parents that use these services. The full impact of outside Newcastle MP Tim Owen’s office. these fee increases has not been adequately analysed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, with little research of the needs of TAFE students with parenting responsibilities. It is feared the next step will be an attempt by TAFE NSW to sell off and privatise these vital student services. Smart and Skilled The NSW Government has drip fed details of its Smart and Skilled Art “reform” strategy but it remains clear that Smart and Education Minister Adrian Piccoli announced in Sep- Skilled is the greatest threat to the delivery of public tember that, as of 2013, his Government would cut all vocational and further education NSW has ever faced. funding to TAFE fine arts and ceramics courses. This Smart and Skilled sets up a “voucher system” of fund- had a dramatic impact on all students and teachers of ing, where a set amount of money follows a student art. Courses have been cut and art schools closed, with in place of direct funding to TAFE. The Government fees hiked to more than $8000 per year, forcing many refers to this as “entitlement” funding; students aged students looking to complete their course to take on 15 years and over who have left school and do not have income contingent loans, leaving them with massive a Certificate lV or higher qualification are entitled to debt. Hundreds of part time casual teachers across NSW government-subsidised training up to and including have lost all or most of their work and permanent art Certificate III qualifications with the approved provider teachers have been and continue to be forced out of of their choice. TAFE through redundancies. However, State Training Services is yet to determine Teachers and students campaigned together with a which skills will be on a “skills list” for entitlement series of protests and rallies in Sydney and regional funding, or which registered training organisations will areas generating widespread community support. The be on an approved providers list to make them eligible union supported the student group Save TAFE Art in for this funding. The independent pricing and regula- organising protests and implementing a petition of tory tribunal is yet to price the skills list to determine more than 25,000 signatures which was delivered to the rate qualifications will be funded at. NSW Parliament on November 14. With the introduction of Smart and Skilled looming Meadowbank TAFE fine arts students and teachers supported a Ryde in 2014, every TAFE institute has undergone a product Community Union Alliance rally opposing the NSW Government’s cuts to and services review. Although badged as a review, TAFE funding, outside Ryde MP Victor Dominello’s office. this has basically been a slashing of teaching positions across the state with whole faculties being cut, Children’s services course delivery being rationalised and teachers losing their jobs. In most cases, teachers with many years of In August 2012, TAFE NSW announced a review of experience are required to apply for their own jobs

83 in a brutal “pool assessment” or spill and fill process Terry Keeley, Kathy Nicholson, prior to being declared “excess” to requirement and Rob Long and Sharryn Usher offered redundancy. TAFE Organisers Institutes are announcing “Centres of Excellence”, TAFE teachers protested outside Wyong MP Darren Webber’s office which appears to be code for closing facilities at other over the NSW Government’s funding cuts to TAFE. colleges. Tourism and hospitality, commercial cookery and some trades areas appear to be hardest hit, with facilities at some colleges sitting idle as delivery is concentrated at fewer colleges. TAFE institutes have seen both funding and job cuts in support areas including outreach, English for speakers of other languages, and multicultural support. Members are fighting the latest round of “reforms” that appear to be focussed on downgrading positions in disability support and counselling. Smart and Skilled is underpinned by contestability of funding and as such sets up competition not only between TAFE and private providers, but between TAFE institutes as they compete against one another for decreasing funds. Enterprise bargaining The union commenced formal bargaining with TAFE NSW in October 2012. The union entered into negotiations with TAFE NSW on the basis that TAFE teachers should receive a pay increase of 2.5 per cent with no change to working conditions. This proposal was soon agreed to in regard to the Institute Managers Enterprise Agreement and the Teachers in TAFE Children’s Centres Enterprise Agreement. Members in these two categories received a 2.5 per cent salary increase in January 2013. However, this was not the case with the Teachers and Related Employees category. TAFE management wanted a fundamental restructure of how TAFE courses would be delivered. TAFE NSW’s proposed enterprise agreements included new paraprofessional classifications with infe- rior qualifications and a reduced rate of pay to undertake components of a teacher’s work. Other proposals created new classifications at a head teacher level with greater attendance time and reduced job security. This proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by TAFE teachers when put to a ballot twice by the employer. TAFE teachers remain the only public education teachers who have not received the fully funded 2.5 per cent salary increase as imposed in the state wages policy. Recruitment With the loss of large numbers of long term TAFE teacher members in the ongoing job cuts, recruitment of TAFE teachers as Federation members remains a priority. Creating workplace committees and holding regional forums off campus and outside of mainstream working hours has seen increasing attendance at Fed- eration meetings. Inviting non-members to information sessions has been a successful recruitment activity. Federation’s Post School Education unit has been actively involved in the ACTU Secure Work campaign and has held forums to connect with casual TAFE teachers. Federation will continue to focus on recruitment of TAFE teachers, particularly among the ever-growing pool of part time casual teachers. Maxine Sharkey Assistant General Secretary (Post School Education)

84 85 Trade Union Training and professional development Trade Union Training The training program has continued to grow to meet within the union at the school and association levels. the demand of our representatives in schools and associations, and to specifically meet campaign needs Beginning teacher conferences and requests from associations. In addition to this our commitment to training new activists and new teachers In 2012, there were seven beginning teacher confer- has been an important part of our recruitment strategy. ences — two at Bundanoon to attract those teachers in This year there have been 12 conferences scheduled the Sydney metropolitan area, and single conferences in by the Federation and training is involved in a number Broken Hill, Corowa, Gosford, Newcastle and Lightning of these conferences. Ridge for teachers in regional areas. In 2013 there will In 2009, the Federation became an accredited provider again be seven beginning teacher conferences with of professional development with the NSW Institute of two at Bundanoon, and single conferences in Broken Teachers in all seven elements. Many of the courses that Hill, Coonabarabran, Corowa, Gosford and Newcastle. we have run since May 2009 have had accredited hours. The Project Officers assisted in recruiting members for the Federation and found that one of the motivating factors for teachers to join early was their ability to Recruitment attend a beginning teacher conference. It is estimated that more than 70 per cent of participants upgraded Graduates their membership or joined to attend a beginning The graduate teacher seminar program continued this teacher conference. The Project Officers in 2012 were year, and underpins our commitment to encouraging Elyse Burns, Tim Danaher, Rebecca Hancock, Natalie graduates into the public education system and intro- Hudson, Sharyn Marshall, Tim Mortimer, Lisa Shirlaw ducing them to the NSW Teachers Federation. and Daniel Young. The Project Officers in 2013 are Kate Ambrose, the Membership and Training Of- John Black, Penelope Colman, Michelle Hasking, Chris ficer, has continued to run seminars for university Hayden, Bianca Lowe, Leigh Messer, Susan O’Keefe graduates. Her report on these activities is contained and Adam Willis. in this annual report. Beginning teacher courses New Educators Over the past year, Federation has continued to offer In 2003, a course was developed for 22 targeted new beginning teacher courses, which run for a single school teachers across the State. This group of new enthusi- day with the Federation providing relief. Federation has astic teachers became known as the New Educators, a been able to hold some of these courses in rural areas. name which they chose, based on the New Educators In 2013, courses are planned for Bega, Coffs Harbour, network in South Australia, and their comfort around Lismore, Queanbeyan, Surry Hills and Tamworth. this “tag”. They became very effective advocates and activists for the union in recruiting new members and activists. The course focussed on developing their under- Core courses standing of Federation and its membership and the key issues surrounding activism within the union. It Fundamentals for Federation Representatives and also developed their skills in public speaking, session Women’s Contacts chairing and involvement with young members. In 2012, the tenth course of New Educators (NEN10) Federation’s training program has continued to focus on was run, adding an additional 27 people to this group of training for Federation Representatives and Women’s activists. Organisers provided names of new teachers, Contacts through its basic and advanced courses, which who had taken on roles in their schools and associa- have been well attended and run in both city and country tions, to be involved in the program. locations. There continues to be a high demand for these The NEN10 activists have played a significant role courses with an increasing number of new Federation in our 2013 beginning teacher conferences and in the Representatives and Women’s Contacts applying. development of activities to involve more new teachers. They chaired sessions at the conferences and talked to new teachers about the value of becoming active Advanced courses 86 Communicating and Negotiating Skills for Potential Officers

Federation Representatives and Women’s At the end of this triennium there will be a number of Contacts Officers who will be seeking retirement, and a conse- As the role of the Federation Representative and quent need to encourage members and other activists Women’s Contact becomes more challenging and with to become more involved and consider standing as a greater number of new representatives the demand an Officer. for further training has increased. The number of applicants for advanced courses has increased. We will continue to locate one of these courses in a rural Campaign courses centre to improve member access to these courses. A large number of campaign courses have been run since the annual report last year including: Federation Councillors •Media Skills As this is the first year of the biennium there are three •New Principals Skills for Councillors courses and a Skills for Aborigi- •New Activists nal Councillors course. With a greater number of new •Project Officers — Women activists becoming involved in Council, these courses •New Educators Network provide core training to increase the participation and •Correctional Education Services confidence of new Councillors. •Deputy Principals, Head Teachers and Assistant Principals Association Presidents and Secretaries •TAFE Student Counsellors This course is now part of our core program and is •Teacher Housing Authority designed to equip Association Presidents and Secre- •Post Schools — Women taries with the fundamental knowledge and skills to •Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex carry out these roles effectively and also build on the •Principals’ Committee members’ Federation experience and activism. •Fundamentals for OCAA members

Seminars In addition to the one-day campaign courses, Federa- •New Teacher Seminar — Gaining and maintaining tion has developed and run a number of two-hour professional competence with the NSW Institute of seminars in various locations: Teachers for new teachers — Surry Hills, Penshurst •New Teacher Seminar — Professional competence: •New Teacher Seminar — Casual and Temporary Teachers —Newcastle, Bowral, Armidale, Lismore maintaining accreditation, planning and programming •New Teacher Seminar — Communicating with our workshops for primary and secondary teachers — Communities — Surry Hills Gymea, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Queanbeyan •New Teacher Seminar and Forum — Surry Hills •New Teacher Seminar — Working as a teacher and •School Executive Seminar — Supporting new scheme accreditation at professional competence with the teachers when seeking and maintaining professional NSW Institute of Teachers — Blacktown, Emu Plains, competence with the NSW Institute of Teachers — Campbelltown, Lawson. Surry Hills Professional development In 2012, Federation started a partnership with the main provider of professional development for Questacon and co-organised some science courses. our members. These courses were run in Newcastle as one day David Wynne courses, on Fields and Forces respectively. Trade Union Training Officer In 2012, the Centre for Professional Learning was established by the Federation to be 87 88 Welfare

The Communications/Welfare section continues to conducted by Federation contain a Welfare compo- operate in a highly effective manner. The core work of nent. Welfare sessions for the TUT courses, available the section continues to be providing relevant, accurate to school, TAFE and Corrective Services Federation and up to date information and advice to Federation Representatives, Women’s Contacts and workplace members in an efficient manner. committee members, centre on employment rights Members from schools, TAFE, Corrective Services and responsibilities and strategies for protecting those and other workplaces, who ring to discuss workplace rights within a legislative framework. In addition, the issues, are answered by one of the six Communications sessions include current issues of concern such as staff, including one who coordinates the staff across workers compensation and rehabilitation, leave en- the Communications/Welfare sections. Members’ ques- titlements and child protection. Sessions may include tions or concerns are addressed by the communications a discussion of a number of welfare-related scenarios advisors where possible, and the more serious issues and exploration of possible pathways for resolution. are referred to the rostered Duty Officer or the Duty Although many courses are held in Federation’s Welfare Officer. Surry Hills building, Welfare Officers travel to different In the 2012 calendar year, 18,474 calls were taken parts of the metropolitan area and the state to address by the communications advisors. TUT courses. Communications advisors responded to 2638 mem- At Department of Education and Communities (DEC) ber emails that were sent via the Federation’s general Overseas Trained Teacher courses and DEC Exchange correspondence email address, Federation Representa- Teacher seminars, Welfare Officers offer a session on tives online and also directly to the Communications the rights of teachers as workers in the state system inbox. In 2012, there were 500 members allocated to a and the benefits and protection they can gain by join- Welfare Officer for ongoing, individual case manage- ing Federation, or the appropriate overseas union for ment of their issues. those NSW teachers who are on an overseas teacher By dealing with the frontline calls, the communica- exchange program. This training is a very productive tions advisors take an enormous amount of pressure recruitment opportunity with these potential members. off the Welfare Officers. This allows the five Welfare Federation provides new member kits with pens that Officers to return calls that require Welfare specialist have the Federation telephone number printed on them. assistance in a timely manner, concentrate efforts in an efficient way on the ongoing and difficult matters Changes to child protection legislation that require our expertise, and do many of the tasks described in more detail below. The legislation around working with children is in the Each March, a Welfare Officer is elected to take on process of being amended. Amendments to the Child the role of Secretary of the Legal Cases Committee. Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 were That person oversees the administrative aspects of passed in the NSW Parliament in June 2012 without any the union’s legal assistance program. The work of the notice or consultation with unions or the community. Welfare Officers has been supported by three secretarial These amendments changed some of the definitions staff, with one dedicated entirely to the secretarial work and processes associated with working with children involved in the legal assistance program. and transferred the cost of the Working With Children Check from employers to workers. Vale Noelene Leeming The most immediate impact will be that all new employees who work with children will be required December 22, 1960 — November 22, 2012 to pay $80 for the Working With Children Check and Noelene worked at Federation for about 25 years, com- they will have to be checked and cleared by the Com- mencing in the Membership section and moving to mission for Children and Young People before they can Communications/Welfare as a communications advisor be employed. The Department, like other employers, in October 2009. Noelene was an integral member of the will require the teacher to be cleared before approval section, supporting her colleagues with her dedication can be given for casual or permanent employment. and guidance. Members also benefited greatly from her Currently the check is administered and paid for by compassionate nature and desire to ensure that the the Department. advice she provided was always accurate and timely. Welfare Officers and other Officers representing Noelene is greatly missed by the staff and Officers the Federation, Independent Education Union and of the Communications/Welfare section. Unions NSW have raised concerns about changes to Training definitions, reporting and investigative procedures that were included in the drafts. They also opposed Many of the Trade Union Training (TUT) courses the imposition of the fee and detailed the impact on 89 workers, however, the Government would not make sum payments, disease and nervous shock injuries. any changes. Welfare Officers work with Federation Industrial The NSW Government announced on April 30 that Officers on Unions NSW working parties to ensure that the new Working With Children Check would com- members receive ongoing accurate advice regarding mence from June 15, 2013 and its operation would their workers compensation claims. be streamlined from four separate agencies into one Welfare Officers liaise regularly with Federation regulatory unit, under the jurisdiction of the NSW Law solicitors about the provision of legal assistance to Children’s Guardian. members with declined workers compensation claims. From this date child-related workers can apply for Many aspects of the changes need to be tested legally the check and employers can register for the new to ensure members can access their entitlements. system. Application forms and instructions on how to Members who have questions or concerns about apply will be published on the Commission for Chil- their workers compensation claim should contact dren and Young People website www.kids.nsw.gov.au. Communications/Welfare by telephone on 1300 654 Checks for workers in secondary schools and vo- 367, by fax on (02) 9217 2487 or by email at welfare@ cational education will be phased in from January 1 nswtf.org.au. to December 31, 2016. Checks for workers in early Welfare Officers have updated the relevant informa- education and child care and other education sectors tion leaflets to reflect changes to the legislation. The will be phased in from January 1 to December 31, 2017. leaflets can be accessed via the members section of Welfare Officers will continue to be involved in ongo- Federation’s website at www.nswtf.org.au or by con- ing discussions with other unions about the impact of tacting Communications/Welfare. the changes on Federation members. Welfare Officers will also update Federation’s information leaflets to Superannuation ensure that the advice they contain reflects current Throughout 2012, a number of issues related to indi- legislation in the area of child protection. viduals’ State Superannuation Scheme (SSS) — the “old” Work health and safety scheme — accounts were raised by members, which resulted in legal assistance being granted to ensure Welfare Officers have participated in discussions to retirement entitlements were protected. consider the implications of the proposed Work Health The body that administers the scheme, Pillar, ad- and Safety Directorate realignment. Welfare Officers vised a number of members of massive errors to their have been involved in the drafting of correspondence individual superannuation account. Such errors have to the Department as part of the consultation process, to been occurring over a number of years. express concerns that the proposed changes will mean Errors included incorrect entry of instructions by a reduction in services provided to injured workers and members while on periods of approved leave, errors in the management of their return to work programs. calculating “units” that determine retirement pension Welfare and other Federation Officers liaise regu- benefit that were subsequently advised incorrectly, larly with the Work Health and Safety Directorate to thus affecting retirement planning, and notice of ei- ensure injured workers receive the best outcomes in ther under or over-payment of contributions. Some terms of return to work programs and other rehabili- members were advised they could take a cash payment tation strategies. Of particular concern is the loss of of an over-payment or received noticed that their up to six Work Health and Safety liaison managers retirement income was to be permanently reduced as a consequence of the realignment, effectively reas a result of under-payment that had been in no way ducing the 10 regions down to four. By concentrating the fault of the member. more positions in metropolitan areas, there will be a An example of one outcome was an error being loss of local, rural and regional expertise as well as corrected by allowing the member to make an ad- organisational knowledge. ditional payment to put them in the same position The Welfare Officers have already reported prob- they’d be in if a reduction in units had never taken lems caused by the Department’s move to transfer place. Ultimately this led to a vastly better financial the management of workers compensation claims situation for the member whose retirement was immi- for psychological injuries away from regional injury nent. The outcome has been outstanding for members management advisers to rehabilitation officers located facing this situation. in state offices. Should the Department push through the proposed Medical retirement and access to changes it has the potential to significantly impact the superannuation work of Federation’s Communication/Welfare section as members will no longer have access to timely Access to “early” superannuation benefit is not auto- advice regarding Work Health and Safety issues from matic once the Department of Education and Commu- regional officers, nor will they be able to rely on the nities (DEC), as the employer, has approved medical support of these officers at return to work meetings. retirement from the teaching service. Superannuation is expected to be preserved until Changes to workers compensation legislation a worker reaches the nominated retirement date — either 55 for women, or 60 for men and some women Welfare Officers continue to closely monitor the im- who elected this date— for SSS and State Authorities pact of changes to workers compensation legislation Superannuation Scheme (SASS), or the government since new arrangements came into place in June 2012. pensionable retirement age (First State Super). These changes particularly affect journey claims, lump Whether access to superannuation is available can- 90 not be known until after the medical retirement has Officers give advice to the DEC during its review of taken effect. The Superannuation Board may require policy documents, this does not necessarily mean that an independent medical assessment to determine that Federation endorses or even agrees with the published the worker is incapable of engaging in any employ- DEC documents. ment at all, not just from teaching, before the benefit will be released. ANZELA The medical assessments that have been used to base the decision to medically retire the worker by the The Australian New Zealand Education Law Associa- employer may be accepted. However, they may not. If tion (ANZELA) is an international organisation which the documents are not accepted, the Superannuation provides an opportunity for those in the professions of Board will arrange for an assessment to be carried out. education and law to share developments in education These are conducted by Medibank Health Solutions at law with one another. ANZELA’s members include the expense of the Superannuation Board. Although school principals, teachers and administrators from in the early stages of this process it became apparent the public and private sectors, government and pri- to the Welfare Section that medically retired teach- vate lawyers, union officials and university lecturers ers were being referred to the separate independent in law and education. medical assessment, it has now become apparent The NSW Chapter of ANZELA has committed itself that the Superannuation Board is accepting original to two seminars per year. One was held at the annual documentation on more occasions. general meeting in August 2012 and another in March Federation advises any member contemplating 2013. The August meeting was addressed by Kate self-referral for medical retirement, or any member Eastman speaking on how schools are to deal with who becomes aware that the employer is making a students with disabilities and Ben Fogarty speaking referral for them to be medically retired, to contact the on how schools are to deal with staff with disabilities. Communications/Welfare section for further advice. Both barristers were very interesting. The March 12 seminar featured Commissioner for Input into DEC committees and policy Children and Young People Megan Mitchell speaking documents on developments in child protection legislation and DEC Director of Legal Services Michael Waterhouse Welfare Officers participated in joint DEC and Federa- speaking on the Commonwealth Royal Commission tion management and consultative meetings, held into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. regularly throughout the year. The Officers reviewed This seminar was very well attended. DEC legal issues bulletins prior to release. Welfare Three Welfare Officers attended the 2012 ANZLA Officers also reviewed parts of the leave sections of Annual Conference, which was held in Rotorua the Teachers’ Handbook to ensure both consistency of New Zealand with the theme, “Woteva nxt! Legal interpretation with the previous Teachers’ Handbook and social challenges in education”. The conference and that terminology reflects changes to legislation focussed on the changing nature of education and and variations to determinations. the challenges faced by both staff and lawyers. The An important development has been to the section use of technology presented a minefield of issues, on who can provide certificates for sick leave. Previ- and the conference looked at types of technology ously, only registered medical practitioners (doctors) from PC workstations to handheld items, and their plus registered dentists, chiropractors, osteopaths or use and misuse by students, teachers and academics. physiotherapists — for special circumstances such as A separate session looked at potential employers’ pain relief — could provide certificates for up to five access to information online and the implications days of sick leave. for employment. This list has been expanded to also include health The keynote speakers set the tone for a lively and practitioners in the following health professions: thought-provoking conference. A speech from Justice chiropractic; dental — including the profession of Stephen Kos, from the High Court of New Zealand, a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental was titled “We need to talk about the lawyers”, while prosthetist and oral health therapist; medical; nursing Massey University’s Sir Mason Durie spoke on un- and midwifery; optometry; osteopathy; pharmacy; leashing education’s potential. physiotherapy; podiatry; psychology; Aboriginal and The NSW Chapter of ANZELA offered four grants of Torres Strait Islander health practice; Chinese medicine; up to $2000 to NSW public and private school teachers medical radiation practice; and occupational therapy. — specifically those who were Legal Studies teach- Absences in excess of five days continue to need to ers, executive or other teachers with a demonstrated be supported by a certificate from a medical practi- interest in education law. Grants to those within the tioner (doctor). In the case of workers compensation Sydney metropolitan area were limited to $1500. Two claims, a WorkCover NSW certificate of capacity must school teachers applied, one from a public school, be obtained from a medical practitioner (doctor). and both were successful. Louise Woods, from the In advising members, Welfare Officers continue to Dubbo School of Distance Education, expressed deep remind members to promptly submit leave applications interest in the topics discussed in a report that was and certificates for any periods of sick leave in excess published in the Federation journal. of three days in order to avoid a salary overpayment Before the conference, ANZELA delegates were when paid sick leave is exhausted. invited by the New Zealand Post-Primary Teachers’ Sections of the Teachers’ Handbook on adoption, Association (PPTA) to be part of a union ANZELA maternity and parental leave, and leave without pay delegation to attend a PPTA Executive meeting in Wel- were also reviewed by Welfare Officers. While Welfare lington and the Annual Conference of the country’s 91 Legal Cases Committee The Legal Cases Committee meets prior to Executive meetings. The committee makes a recommendation to Executive, which then votes/determines whether the request will be granted. The committee is comprised of the five Welfare Officers, four members elected by Council, two members of Executive elected by Executive, and the Assistant General Secretary (Research and Industrial). During the 2012 calendar year the Legal Cases Committee met eight times. The new applications for legal assistance comprised: Legal (general), related to employment matters The committee considered 161 new requests. Cases covered a range of issues including disciplinary matters — such as Employee Performance and Conduct (EPAC) and/or efficiency procedures — victim compensation, motor vehicle accident claims, negligence claims and criminal cases. Workers compensation Of the 171 new requests to pursue workers compensation claims, 67 were for physical injuries and 104 were for psychological injury. The majority of such requests were either for disputed claims or for claims for permanent loss of function and pain and suffering settlement. Changes to the workers compensation legislation have greatly restricted the access of members to claims for permanent loss of function by increasing the percentage of whole person impairment that must be reached by those with physical injuries. It was envisaged that this change may result in less applications for legal assistance, but at the same time the legislation provided the insurer with a wider range of excuses to decline claims so there has actually been an increase in the total number of applications for legal assistance related to workers compensation. Breakdown of new legal cases over the past 10 years Year Legal (general) Workers compensation Total 2003 181 152 333 2004 91 299 390 2005 138 265 403 2006 87 220 307 2007 167 206 373 2008 126 195 321 2009 112 234 346 2010 89 189 278 2011 127 166 293 2012 161 171 332 TOTAL 1279 2097 3376 The Welfare Officers wish to acknowledge the contribution to deliberations of the committee in 2012 of chairperson Sally Edsall (Council elected), Assistant General Secretary (Research and Industrial) Wendy Currie, Executive members Gemma Ackroyd and John Morris, and Council elected members Rod Brown, Lenore Hankinson and Pam Gregg. Vale Pam Gregg Pam was a Federation Life Member and a State Councillor from 1979 until her death in March. She served on Federa- tion Executive from 2006 to 2011. Pam was elected to the Legal Cases Committee as an Executive representative for 2010–2011 and as a State Council representative 2011–2013. As a member of the Executive and also as an elected representative on the Legal Cases Committee, Pam carefully considered member’s requests for legal assistance. She attended her last Legal Cases Committee meeting in February 2013 and made her farewell. Members of the Legal Cases Committee thanked Pam for her contribution to the committee, little realising the finality of the occasion. Farewell to a valued Federation activist. Nola Edsall Secretary, Legal Cases Committee 2012 Angela Catallo Secretary, Legal Cases Committee 2013 largest education union, the New Zealand Educa- tional Institute, in Rotorua. It was apparent that the issues confronting both New Zealand and Australia are extremely similar: efficiency and policies relating to improvement, funding, salaries and transfer. Angela Catallo, Nola Edsall, Janet Hannaford, Carol Howard and Kerry Johnson Welfare Officers

92 93 94 Women’s Action Program

The Women’s Action Program was established in 1975. Participants at the conference were able to attend During its 37 years the program has evolved, but the workshops, which covered an array of topics includ- aim to engage women in the union and encourage ing: Assertiveness for women; Transition to retirement; women to take up leadership roles within the union Being an active Federation member — Engaging with at all levels, has remained unchanged. social media; Campaigning for a secure future — How The components of the Women’s Action Program to become actively involved in the Putting Students First include a full time Women’s Coordinator, Women’s and Gonski campaigns; and Responding to the unmet Conference, women-only Trade Union Training courses, needs in special education. Women’s Caucus, Women’s Committee and the Anna Delegates created strategies for use in the Gonski Stewart Program. campaign at a workshop during Women’s Conference. Women’s participation in their union Anna Stewart Program Women have been actively involved in all of the Federa- The Anna Stewart Program is an affirmative action tion’s campaigns over the past 12 months. They have program aimed at developing the skills, knowledge and engaged their communities about Gonski, spoken to confidence of women members and empowering them the media, lobbied politicians and taken to the streets to to be actively involved in Federation at the workplace, protest the cuts to education and the attacks on TAFE. association or state level. Seventy two per cent of the Federation membership During 2012, 15 women participated in the Anna are women. Stewart Program. Two-week program participants were Federation membership — gender breakdown Amy-Lee Murphy, Jasmine Galletly, Melanie Dodd, Melissa Hogan, Karen Terry, Jennifer Blevins, Tracey Workplace Female members Gocher, Claire Robertson, Kristen Nimmons, Julie Moon, Schools 73.6% Kerryn Hopkins, Brenda Montgomery, Fiona Bergman and Ruth Carlos, while Narelle Hill was the successful Post schools 55.9% applicant for the term-long Anna Stewart position. Federation Representatives — gender break- During their time in the Anna Stewart Program, down participants were able to attend Council, TAFE TA Council, Executive, Officers’ meetings and local asso- Workplace Female Fed Reps ciation meetings. They visited schools, TAFE colleges, Schools 65% Stewart House and Corrective Services Post school 49% worksites. Partici- Corrective Services 30% pants also met politicians and the officers The newly elected Federation Council com- of the Department of prises 51.6 per cent women, this is an increase Education and Com- from the previous biennium and women are now munities (DEC), ac- in the majority on Council. Despite the small companied Industrial increase in the number of women on Council, Officers to hearings women across all of Federation’s representa- in the Industrial Re- tive structures continue to remain significantly lations Commission underrepresented. and supported other unions at picket lines and rallies. 2013 Women’s Conference Trade Union Training Federation’s Women’s Conference, with the theme A number of courses were held over the past year, “Women, Campaigning for Change”, was held on Sat- including Women’s Fundamentals, a campaigns course urday April 6. There were 220 women from across specifically developed for women working in post school NSW in attendance, as well as a small delegation from workplaces. A pilot women’s fundamentals course is the Australian Education Union’s (AEU) ACT Branch. being developed. The new course will include a ses- Federation was lucky enough to secure ACTU President sion on assertiveness for women. Ged Kearney as the keynote speaker. Ms Kearney provided an inspirational address, highlighting the impact Women’s Caucus of insecure work on women and their ability to plan for the future. Women’s Caucus is held prior to each Council and on 95 the first day of Annual Conference. It provides an opportunity for women to come together to discuss not only the recommendations coming before Council or Annual Conference but also to raise issues which are of importance to them. Women’s Caucus prior to Council is continuing to grow, while well more than 100 women attended the 2012 Annual Conference Women’s Caucus. Members of Women’s Caucus.

International Women’s Day Federation held a screening of the documentary It’s a Girl in March to mark International Women’s Day. Federation also sent a delegation to both the UN Women’s International Women’s Day breakfast and the International Women’s Day march. Federation members participated in Sydney’s International Women’s Day march.

AEU Women’s Conference Federation sent a delegation to the 2012 AEU Federal Women’s Conference, which had the theme “Activism and leadership: It is our future”. The conference focussed on maximising women’s career opportunities in education and maximising their participation in their union. Childcare Federation provides childcare for Council, Annual Conference and also Trade Union Training in its purpose- built childcare centre. During 2012, 85 childcare places were provided across Councils and Annual Conference. Women and the DEC According to figures released in the DEC’s 2011 annual report, women accounted for 68.4 per cent of the total teaching service in NSW public schools, 50.5 per cent of all principals and 59.4 per cent of the total number of teachers in promotion positions. Women are still significantly underrepresented in leadership positions within the DEC, despite there being an increase in the number of women holding a promotion position in 2011. Women still make up the majority (81.9 per cent) of principals in PP6 schools, the smallest primary schools, but only 43.1 per cent of PP1 schools, the largest primary schools, and 34.5 per cent of secondary principal class 1 positions. Charmaine O’Sheades Women’s Coordinator

96 TOGETHER