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Investing in Our Children: Temporary Boost for Katherine Teachers Relocation Allowance

Office of the Chief Minister

The Territory Labor Government has agreed to temporarily double a relocation allowance for Katherine teachers in 2020, as part of an ongoing review into the town’s teacher housing subsidy.

Consultation has been ongoing with teachers, principals, school communities and the Australian Education Union NT since the announcement in April that the $2 million annual Katherine teacher housing subsidy will be reviewed as a budget repair measure.

It is anticipated $500,000 will be saved annually with the implementation of a new housing subsidy model from Term 1, 2020.

Throughout the consultation, the attraction and retention of quality teachers to the Katherine township has repeatedly been raised as a concern.

To ease the transition to the new model and help principals continue to attract teachers, the Territory Labor Government has agreed to initially double the relocation allowance for Katherine teachers from the current 10 fortnightly payments to 20 in 2020.

The payment will reduce to 15 fortnightly payments in 2021 before returning to 10 in 2022.

The current Katherine teacher relocation rates are $755 per fortnight for employees with children and $546 per fortnight for those without.

 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Selena Uibo.

“The Territory Labor Government is implementing a plan for budget repair that is making tough decisions and every department needs to do its share of heavy lifting.

“The Katherine teacher housing subsidy has not been reviewed in 30 years and has not been indexed during this time. It has been identified as something that can operate more efficiently, delivering $500,000 in savings annually.

“We know it is important that we continue to attract quality teachers to Katherine, which is why we are supporting schools through this transition to a more equitable new model.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Katherine, Sandra Nelson.

“We have extensively consulted with teachers, principals, staff and the wider Katherine community throughout this review and we have listened.

“I have worked closely with the Minister for Education to ensure the transition to the new teacher housing subsidy model will not impact the ability of our Katherine schools to attract and keep quality teachers.”

 

Media contact: Kim Stephens 0417 683 144

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