Why (education) unions are urging Australians to put Dutton last

A Dutton coalition government represents a significant risk for the rights of all Australian workers, including IEU members. 

IEU Deputy General Secretary Kylie Busk says the Albanese Government’s new IR reforms must be given time to address a decade of damage under federal coalition governments.

“These reforms begin to level the playing field, delivering long-fought gains for IEU members—particularly in bargaining, wage theft, and protections against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and workplace violence,” says Kylie.

“Now, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton—guided by the right-wing HR Nicholls Society—wants to dismantle these collective wins, which will further exacerbate the pressures leading too many great educators to leave their profession.”

Industrial relations is a key dividing line between the major parties, and much is at stake—including new rights to a bargaining stream that, for the first time, would allow IEU members to take protected industrial action in support of a new Agreement.

Key reforms under threat include:

• Wage rises for low-paid workers, including government-funded increases for childcare staff.

• New protections for casual workers and minimum standards for gig workers.

• Legislation outlawing wage theft and introducing domestic violence leave.

• Rights such as the “right to disconnect” from work outside hours.

• Multi-employer bargaining rights, empowering workers across multiple employers in similar enterprises to negotiate better pay and conditions.

• The right of union delegates (Reps) to free paid training.

Education Unions unite

The AEU, NTEU, and IEU—who together represent 285,000 members—united to reject Peter Dutton’s claims of indoctrination and his attacks on the profession, issuing a joint press release urging the Coalition “to end the vilification of education and research workers and the teaching profession.”

“Across the nation, the teaching profession is giving 100% every day to ensure that every student has access to a high quality education and they need the full support of our communities to do their jobs well. This political interference would not be accepted in any other occupation. It will not be accepted by teachers.

“Peter Dutton needs to stay out of the classroom and leave education to the qualified, professional teaching workforce.”

Kylie Busk said Dutton’s comments about education in the first week of the federal election campaign demonstrated “a complete lack of regard and respect for the important work that happens in schools”. 

“We need to do all that we can to try to prevent a return to a coalition government that for nine long years failed to consult with education professionals, failed to implement proven improvements, failed to address looming workforce shortages, and failed to address resource standard inequities,” Kylie said.  

IEU Federal Secretary Brad Hayes also expressed his dismay at Dutton’s attack on educators at the outset of the election campaign.

“IEU members and the families in our school communities rightly expect the election campaign to focus on delivering a world class education system; however, the public debate has already degenerated into teacher bashing and the lazy politics of education blame games.

“The leader of the federal opposition Peter Dutton has threatened to sack thousands of federal education department staff, claimed students are being ‘indoctrinated” and flagged that a future coalition government would take back control of what teachers teach.    

“The complex challenges in schools and early childhood education require an expert, professional dialogue free from partisan attacks. Sadly, the public comments seem designed to ignite ugly cultural wars for political benefit, at the cost of well-considered education policies.” 

The coalition has signalled cuts to 41,000 public service jobs and said that he could put “conditions” on federal education funding.

Brad says slashing funding or jobs from education is simplistic and short-sighted and the idea that thousands of jobs could be cut from the Education Department without impacting school operations is “fanciful”.

The work of Departmental staff has a direct impact on the operation of non-government schools and early childhood education. The department oversees $19.1 billion dollars of funding to non-government schools every year.

Positive changes to repair the education system are underway but require adequate staffing and resourcing not only in schools, but also in the department overseeing and funding the reforms.     

One key reform at risk from cuts is the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, which is guided by the core principles of addressing student disadvantage, improving academic outcomes, and supporting wellbeing.

Kylie Busk says the Albanese government should be 'shouting from the rooftop' that this funding agreement has now been locked in with every state.

“It is game changing for ensuring better resourcing to address student need no matter where that student is educated, an issue our members care greatly about.”

For the first time, the Education Department is applying work impact tests to all Better and Fairer Schools reforms and has been collaborating with the IEU to find new ways to clarify and reduce teacher workload.

Teachers are not political punching bags

Brad Hayes argues that instead of pushing unfounded claims of ‘indoctrination’ in schools and universities, the federal opposition should engage with the profession on how to better support graduate teachers at the start of their careers.

“Governments and political candidates should be focused on how they can help to attract, support and retain our next generation of teachers.”

Kylie Busk says, “In the lead up to election day both major parties need to do more to articulate their vision in the education space and what they will commit to doing to support the work of schools and educators”.

The veiled threats against the education department come shortly after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order ordering the dismantling of the US Education Department.

While the IEU will work with whomever forms government to ensure the best outcomes for members and the education sector, it is urging members who care about restoring their fundamental rights and protecting their profession to oppose the Coalition’s anti-worker, anti-educator agenda—by placing Dutton last on their ballot.