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NSW Teachers Federation

Poll: South Coast/Illawarra teachers warn Dutton would take schools backwards

NSW Teachers Federation

A new survey of teachers across the Gilmore, Whitlam and Cunningham electorates finds more than three-quarters (76 per cent)  are concerned Peter Dutton will scrap a historic funding agreement for public schools, while two-thirds believe the funding is critical to support students who have fallen behind in literacy and numeracy.


As part of a new statewide survey of nearly 6000 public school teachers, which includes 509 teachers across the Gilmore, Whitlam and Cunningham electorates, 75 per cent of local respondents said students with a disability or learning difficulty would benefit most from additional funding.

The survey also found 81 per cent of teachers were very concerned Peter Dutton had never expressed support for public education to be fully funded while just 3.8% thought the Coalition trustworthy on education policy and school funding agreements.

EVENT DETAILS

  • WHAT: Teachers, join Gilmore MP, Fiona Phillips to release survey findings, rally to protect public school funding from Dutton
  • WHEN: 11:15 AM, Tuesday, 8 April 2025
  • WHERE: Nowra High School, Moss Street (East), Nowra
  • LOCAL CONTACT: Donald McDonald (0407 284 808)

“This funding agreement is not just important — it's essential,” said NSW Teachers Federation President Henry Rajendra. “And teachers from Bawley Point to Stanwell Park are telling us exactly why. Their schools are under-resourced, their students are missing out, and they’re afraid that Peter Dutton would take us back to the days of deep education cuts.”

The ten year agreement, signed by the federal and NSW governments, will raise public schools to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). It increases the federal share of school funding from 20% to 25% and ends accounting loopholes that inflated state contributions.

Mr Rajendra said the numbers send a clear message. “Teachers don’t trust Peter Dutton on education. They remember what happened last time the Coalition was in power, and they know their students can’t afford a repeat,” he said.

The Federation’s campaign to protect the funding agreement is continuing across NSW, warning voters in key seats that Peter Dutton means fewer teachers and more kids missing out.

For media inquiries: Nick Lucchinelli 0422229032