20 February 2012

Candidates who attended:
•Sandra Bayley (Queensland Greens)
•Kate Jones (ALP)

Candidates who declined:•Campbell Newman (LNP)
•Norman Wicks (Katter’s Australian Party)
Note: A One Nation candidate was announced too late for a timely invitation to the forum

http://www.qtu.asn.au/collections/election-state-2012/forums/education-forum-ashgrove/

Sandra Bayley: Opening Remarks in Brief
•Spoke of her former work as a classroom teacher, and studies in guidance and special education; talked of personal experiences teaching and learning and said education was an holistic process in a changing world.

•Said that a good education was a combination of quality teaching and learning; referred to the Grattan Institute report (“Catching up: learning from the best school systems in East Asia”, 17 February 2012) that acknowledged teaching as a complex profession, and said quality education needed quality candidates entering the profession, plus a meaningful and ongoing build-up of teacher capacity; said there had been a 44% increase in education spending in Australia but Australia was one of the few countries in which education outcomes had gone down, and that high performing nations were not necessarily big education spenders.

•Said Federal Greens policy was to increase education funding, and Queensland Greens policy was to align education funding and support with student need, for example special needs, low SES or Indigineity.

Kate Jones: Opening Remarks in Brief

•Spoke of own quality education at local state schools.

•Said the Bligh government had undertaken a leading investment in schools including on teacher wages and school facilities; achievements of the government included the rollout of kindergartens and the introduction of prep; when ALP came into government, Queensland teachers were the nation’s second-lowest paid and were now the second-highest paid.

•Committed to maintaining the independence of the industrial umpire (Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, QIRC).
•Committed to school funding on a needs basis.

•Rejected LNP’s “independent public schools” proposal, particularly single-line budgeting because it would lead to experienced teachers being let go for newer, cheaper teachers, cut teacher-aide hours and have a negative impact on other school support staff such as grounds staff.

•Distributed signed pledge to local teachers.

Questions from the floor:
Q1: As a concerned teacher, parent and grandparent, wanted assurances to maintain existing state school funding model and a rejection of single-line budgeting.

Responses
Kate Jones: the independent public school program, on which Queensland LNP policy is based, has failed in Western Australia; single-line budgeting diverted school principals from their key jobs as educators; committed to retaining existing funding model and rejecting single-line budgeting.

Sandra Bayley: a Greens’ principle is student needs-based funding, which should be applied and then evaluated for effectiveness; Greens do not support any cuts in support for facilities or education programs.

Q2: As a public sector worker, wanted assurances that the QIRC would retain its role as the independent industrial relations umpire.

Responses
Sandra Bayley: QIRC independence is Greens’ policy.

Kate Jones: every worker deserves the right to an independent industrial umpire, and committed to retaining the QIRC’s independence.

Q3: As a state school teacher, wanted to know how each party would change the teaching workplace.

Responses
Kate Jones: the ALP had inherited a poorly funded education system and had since invested heavily, particularly in regional and poorer areas; focus then had moved to early education and now would be on the move of Year 7 into high school; ALP would continue to invest in better facilities including a sports hall and music learning spaces at The Gap State High School.

Sandra Bayley: Greens would not be in position to form government; said any education changes that the Greens would make would be based on close consultation with the teaching profession.

Kate Jones (continued answer): referred to “reform fatigue” especially from the federal agenda such as the Australian curriculum, which she believed should be implemented in a way that uses teachers’ existing skills and does not compromise workplace conditions.

Sandra Bayler (continued answer): supports the Australian curriculum if implementation includes flexibility for teachers to adapt it to local conditions.

Q4: Referring to the number of wealthy private schools in the electorate with which local state schools competed, asked for views on public funding to private schools.

Responses
Kate Jones: the ALP was waiting for the final review of the Gonski report but welcomed a national conversation on needs-based funding.

Sandra Bayley: Greens had always drawn attention to the private/public funding debate and wanted to see a fairer system; referred to private schools which enrolled indigenous students and students with special needs and said that those schools may need extra funding; said funding should be based on the needs of the students attending, not on the school itself.

Q5: Campbell Newman and the LNP claim teachers and principals wanted the autonomy of independent public schools: did candidates believe that local state schools agreed?

Responses
Sandra Bayley: research showed a drop in school standards when principals’ workload increased as they became managers not educators; raised concerns that the LNP’s policy signalled a move away from education as a core government service.

Kate Jones: no – local schools do not want the LNP policy imposed; contrasted that policy with the ALP’s “Local decisions: stronger school communities” which had been developed with extensive consultation; said some principals may want a degree of autonomy in, for example, keeping on a contract teacher but not one local principal wanted single-line budgeting.

Q6: To Sandra Bayley, who had earlier referred to “an ongoing misuse of education funds” – where were funds being misused and by whom?

Responses
Sandra Bayley: if education spending is increasing but standards are dropping, then funding is counter-productive; referred again to Grattan Institute report that highlighted the need for quality teachers; supported mentoring for new teachers and ongoing professional development for all teachers.

Kate Jones: governments could always spend more on education including paying teachers better wages and spending on capital works.

Q7: Referred to the Grattan report and its praise of various Asian education systems, and asked how different social issues in Australia were affecting our education system.

Responses
Kate Jones: education should be about developing critical thinking, not just lecture-style teaching; related how a local student had undertaken exchange studies in France and had realised how high quality the education she had received at The Gap State High School was in comparison; said if education funding was directed more to private schools, would see education levels decrease in state schools so wanted more parity in funding from the Gonski review.

Sandra Bayley: praised the high quality of education at The Gap SHS, both recently and over time.

Campbell Newman must explain why a disturbing campaign pamphlet he disowned yesterday has the LNP’s fingerprints all over it, says Member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones.

“On Tuesday, Mr Newman claimed the LNP was not linked to the Australian Family Association but it has now been revealed in the Courier Mail today that this is far from the truth” Ms Jones said.

“Today it turns out it is linked to the LNP — and linked at the highest level.

“I think Ashgrove voters will think Mr Newman is treating them as mugs by spinning the story that the pamphlet has nothing to do with the LNP.

“After all, if the pamphlet genuinely reflected AFA views it would be just as critical of Mr Newman because he too supports civil union laws – he just didn’t allow his MPs to vote for them because he preferred to try and score political points.

“In fact we all know that Mr Newman is on the record saying he supports gay marriage — a step well beyond the state’s civil union laws.”

Contact: Kate Jones MP 3366 6000

20TH FEBRUARY 2012

Member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones, says parents with children at local schools should be concerned that LNP candidate Campbell Newman today snubbed a meeting of teachers from schools in the electorate.

“The forum organised by the Queensland Teachers’ Union was open to all candidates in Ashgrove willing to answer questions about their education policy from teachers working in local schools,” Ms Jones said.

“This is the forum Mr Newman allegedly had booked in his diary after supposedly confusing it with last Friday’s event where all other major party candidates declared where they stood on a Charter for Working Queenslanders.

“It is especially revealing that Mr Newman missed today’s education forum which on Friday he said he was planning to attend because it shows what a low priority he gives to local teachers and by extension our local school communities.

“Parents in the Ashgrove electorate need to take note of Mr Newman’s attitude and his unwillingness to meet their children’s teachers, teacher aides and other school staff.

“It is now clear Mr Newman had no intention of attending either forum, despite the importance to Ashgrove voters of the issues discussed at both events,” Ms Jones said.

Contact: Kate Jones 3366 6000

Maxine McKew, former Member for Bennelong and ALP legend today visited Ashgrove to address a women’s breakfast with Member for Ashgrove Kate Jones.

Ms McKew said Campbell Newman was a very slick politician who was using Ashgrove simply as a stepping stone to power.

“To Campbell Newman, Ashgrove is about power. To Kate Jones, Ashgrove is home,” she said.

“Kate is in the race of her life. Just like I was in 2007.

“What I have learnt is that conventional wisdom does not win elections. Hard work and great grassroots campaigning is what it is all about.

“Many people never believed I could win Bennelong. They thought I might go close but no one thought I would really do it.

“Well I am here today to say, do not underestimate the power of great grass roots campaigning and a strong local community representative.

“Politics is not predictable and it is possible for the best woman to win.”

“Kate is running against all the odds and she knows it. We all know it. This is going to be a very hard, tough, fight.”

Kate Jones thanked Maxine McKew for taking the time to tell her story to the women of Ashgrove.

“Maxine is an inspirational woman and she really proved to us that anything is possible and that you should never give up fighting for what you believe in,” she said.

“I am under no illusions that this is going to be a very tough contest and I am up against a seasoned politician who is prepared to do anything to be Premier.

“My commitment to the people of Ashgrove is that I will always put them first and continue to be a strong representative for them in the Queensland Parliament.

“A strong local voice is very important to keep our community the wonderful place that we know and love.”

Kate Jones MP (07) 3366 6000

Ms Jones said six local organisations would share in the new funding, enabling more services for people with a disability and older Queenslanders.

“This is an important funding boost which will help more local residents live independently for longer in their own homes and within our community,” Ms Jones said.

“The funding is going to grassroots organisations with a strong track record of delivering quality frontline services.

“The services they deliver include domestic assistance, personal care, social support, home modifications, transport, and respite care.

“These organisations are reaching out into the heart of the community and making a real difference to people’s quality of life,” Ms Jones said.

Queensland’s Disability Services Minister, Curtis Pitt, said the extra funding for Ashgrove was part of a $40 million boost to the joint State-Commonwealth Home and Community Care program.

“Across our state the program is worth $523 million in 2011-12,” Mr Pitt said.

“Investing in Home and Community Care services gives people a better quality of life, and it also helps to reduce pressure on residential care centres and nursing homes,” he said.

Ms Jones said organisations receiving extra funding in the Ashgrove electorate included:

■Ashgrove Meals on Wheels – $13,000
■Blue Care Ashgrove – $9,583
■Centacare Enoggera Respite Service – $172,912
■Centacare Westcare Family Support – $48,644
■Mitchelton Meals on Wheels – $13,000
■Mobile Attendant Care Service – $35,000

Contact: Kate Jones 3366 6000

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STATEMENT BY KATE JONES MP

MEMBER FOR ASHGROVE

Today’s visit to the Ashgrove electorate by federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and LNP candidate Campbell Newman explains the real reason Mr Newman did a no show yesterday and refused to sign up to a charter of rights to protect local workers.

TV Appearance – SBS News – 8 September 2011 – Public Sector Rally NSW

“Like Mr Abbott, Mr Newman doesn’t want to tell the truth before an election about his party’s stand on industrial relations,” Ms Jones said.

“Like Mr Abbott, Mr Newman doesn’t want to tell the truth before an election about his party’s stand on industrial relations,” Ms Jones said.

“That is why he snubbed the workers who run our local schools on Friday by refusing to sign up to a charter of workers’ rights and then being less than honest when asked why he didn’t even bother turning up.

“It is now clear why. If he signed the charter on Friday, how could he be next to one of the most eager advocates of Work Choices on Saturday?

“Mr Abbott’s continuing refusal to say what he would do in industrial relations if he won office is now being mimicked by Mr Newman.

“Just as Barry O’Farrell made no mention of a public sector wages freeze and massive job cuts before the last NSW election, Mr Newman is intent on keeping his true IR plans under wraps.

“Workers in the Ashgrove electorate especially those in public sector jobs including our local teachers, teacher aides, cleaners, admin staff and principals are asking Mr Newman why he won’t endorse basic industrial rights that every other major political party has no problem supporting,” Ms Jones said.

Contact: Kate Jones MP 3366 6000

Member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones, says LNP candidate Campbell Newman has a chance to explain where he stands on a Charter for Working Queenslanders at an education forum he has committed to attend this afternoon.

Ms Jones said she and other Ashgrove candidates would be at the forum organised by the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) to be quizzed by state and independent school teachers, teacher aides and other education workers.

“Mr Newman’s commitment to attend this forum offers a chance for him to at last outline what he would do for schools and teachers in our community,” she said.

“His presence will also provide an opportunity for Ashgrove workers to hear his views on the Charter for Working Queenslanders.”

Mr Newman was a no-show at Friday’s event where all other major party candidates signed the pledge committing themselves to the Charter for Working Queenslanders developed by the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU).

It was later explained that Mr Newman was not there because he had booked time in his diary for this afternoon’s forum organised by the QTU which was mistaken for the QCU event on Friday.

“If Mr Newman has allocated time for the education forum, he can come along to meet local teachers but also explain his stand on the Charter for Working Queenslanders,” Ms Jones said.

Details of the QTU education forum for Ashgrove candidates:

• Ashgrove Bowls Club
  Yoku Road, Ashgrove from 3.30pm

Contact: Kate Jones MP 3366 6000

CAMPBELL NEWMAN FAILS TO FRONT ASHGROVE SCHOOL WORKERS

Member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones, slammed the LNP Candidate for Ashgrove, Campbell Newman, for failing to meet with the workers that run Ashgrove’s state and private schools this morning.

Ms Jones said the other three candidates from the major parties – the Greens, Katter’s Australian Party and myself as the sitting Member all signed the Charter for Working Queenslanders.

“Where were you Campbell Newman?” Ms Jones said.

“What could possibly be more important than meeting with the teachers, teacher-aides, principals, cleaners and administration staff that work in our local schools?

“Newman’s no show, shows a total disrespect for the workers that run our local private and state schools and educate our local children.

“Clearly Campbell Newman doesn’t care about the Ashgrove electorate and the people that live and work here.

“He is only using Ashgrove as a stepping stone to power for himself.”

Ms Jones said the Charter sets out a series of initiatives and goals that would provide a better quality of life and better job security for workers in our state.

“It asks state MPs and their parties to support basic concepts such as safer workplaces, decent jobs for Queenslanders, skills training, support for local business and industry, and fairness at work.

“In the lead-up to the pledge-signing event, major parties and their sitting MPs and candidates were canvassed to gauge their views on the charter and its goals.”

Ms Jones said each party was asked to do three simple things:

• to meet QCU delegations,
• to formally answer a set of 28 questions, and
• to express their support for the basic foundations of the Charter.

“The Labor Party and its members met all three benchmarks, so did The Greens as did Bob Katter’s Australian Party. The odd one out was, of course, the LNP.

“Workers in Queensland, especially those in the public sector particularly in Ashgrove should be very concerned about Campbell Newman and the LNP’s ominous silence.”

Ms Jones said Campbell Newman baulked at answering the following question:

“Will you commit to not introducing laws similar to recent legislation brought in by the NSW Liberal government that has had the effect of stopping legitimate enterprise bargaining by public sector employees?”

“In other words, Campbell Newman and his LNP colleagues refuse to rule out a public service wages freeze as implemented by Barry O’Farrell south of the border,” she said.

The LNP also refused to commit to:

• equal pay for equal work
• collective bargaining
• respecting the role of unions in matters such as negotiating OHS laws, and
• addressing issues that undermine job security such as under-employment, casualisation and sham contracts

“They even refuse to commit themselves to expanding WorkCover’s injury prevention and management program,” Ms Jones said.

“The development of this Charter has yet again exposed the LNP’s secret agenda to adopt a Work Choices approach to industrial relations.”

Further information: Kate Jones 3366 6000

The State Government-funded renewal of the Payne Road State School’s tuckshop will help it cement its reputation as one of the top facilities in the state, says Member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones.

“This has always been an outstanding tuckshop, run by outstanding volunteers in one of our community’s outstanding schools,” Ms Jones said at official opening of the new tuckshop.

“That was recognised most recently by the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops at its annual awards in December last year.

“Payne Road State School’s tuckshop was recognised three times at the awards — it was named among the state’s Top 10 tuckshops for 2011; it received the School Partnerships Award for working with teachers and the school community; and it received a Special Commendation for its team of 25 tuckshop volunteers.

“Just attaining one of those would be a fantastic achievement, but to be judged so highly and be recognised three times is truly outstanding. “It is all due to the hard work of the tuckshop’s volunteers and the support it receives from the school community.”

Ms Jones said she was pleased last year to make representations to help secure the funding the upgrade that included air-conditioning the tuckshop.

“This investment by the government will pay dividends for years to come,” Ms Jones said.

“It improves an already excellent facility and builds on the good reputation of the school and its tuckshop.

“That reputation has been built up over more than many years and must be protected because like any reputation it can be easily tarnished by deliberate or inadvertent misinformation.

“As the Local Member I have always and will always support Payne Road State School, its hard-earned reputation, and the volunteers, parents and teachers who support it,” Ms Jones said.

Further information: Kate Jones 3366 6000