Labor stands for safe, secure, well-paid jobs.

School business managers are integral to our schools functioning effectively. They manage budgets, staff, facilities, and more – yet many are being underpaid by the Rockliff Minority Government for the vital work they do.

The current, outdated pay structure does not reflect the more demanding responsibilities for school business mangers working in schools which have grown in both size and complexity.

The State Government is the biggest employer in the state and should be acting as a role model for others to follow, not knowingly ripping off workers.

It’s not an oversight - deliberately continuing to underpay workers while being aware of the issue for months and failing to fix it is wage theft, plain and simple.

This highlights a deeper problem – the government’s disastrous budget situation, which seems to be driving their decision to cut costs at the expense of essential workers. It’s clear from the Premier’s reckless fire-sale of state assets that they’re trying to save money wherever they can, but this is not the way to do it.

It is unfair, and totally unacceptable that school business managers are not being compensated appropriately for their critical role in running our schools.

The Rockliff Minority Government must take the necessary steps to remedy this immediately, including paying any wages owed to workers who have been short-changed because of classification issues.

Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years