Dispute lodged in Industrial Commission over axing of Pathway Planners

The AEU with the CPSU will today lodge a joint dispute in the Tasmanian Industrial Commission over the State Government’s shock decision to axe the Guaranteeing Futures Program.

The AEU will claim in the Commission that the Tasmanian Government has breached the State Service Award by failing to consult about the axing of the Guaranteeing Futures Program and the sacking of Pathway Planners.

“Not only is the decision to axe Pathway Planners short-sighted and inexplicable but the process and lack of consultation with so many employees involved is a disgrace,” said Terry Polglase, AEU Tasmanian Branch President.

“We believe the Department of Education is in clear breach of the Award and its legal requirement to consult with unions before such as major change as the axing of an entire program.”

A joint union meeting of more than 60 Pathway Planners state-wide last night passed unanimously a series of motions condemning the Government’s actions and calling for the highly successful program to be kept in its current form and structure.

Also at the meeting last night, Pathway Planners reacted with anger and disbelief at Minister Rockliff’s comments in Budget Estimates that Pathway Planning was front line but Pathway Planners were not!

“Pathway Planners work at the coal face. Their role is to address retention issues and they are crucial in guiding young people into further education and training or employment.”

Mr Polglase said he was dismayed by the Government’s cynical attempt to distract attention away from the Pathway Planners issue at Budget Estimates yesterday by releasing a review of the Education Act.

“To put out a media release embargoed until 2pm for the very time Minister Rockliff was entering Estimates demonstrates that this government does not want to see the public informed of the impact of its education policy decisions,” said Mr Polglase.

Will Hodgman, as Opposition Leader, in 2009 promised to quarantine the Pathway Planning Program from budget cuts and inject an additional $2.5million a year.
In that same year, Mr Rockliff, when in Opposition was profuse in his support and praise for the Pathway Planners and defended the program against Government cuts. (Hansard 27 May 2009).

“Mr Rockliff was a staunch supporter of the program and the Pathway Planners in 2009 – what has changed?” said Mr Polglase.

Pathway Planners and their community supporters are escalating their campaign and have launched a petition to Premier Will Hodgman a Facebook page and website.
Terry Polglase, AEU Tasmanian Branch President.