Greens MP Sue Pennicuik last night in Parliament called on the government to secure funding to bring an end to this long running wage dispute.

"The government must rectify this untenable situation with fair and equitable wages and working conditions for our teachers as a matter of priority.

"Victoria police and nurses have both concluded wage negotiations with outcomes of more than 3.25% pay increases per annum and yet the government refuses to consider this for its own teachers," Ms Pennicuik said.

"Victorian teachers continue to remain the lowest paid in Australia and haven’t received a wage increase since 2006. If other states can find the money to pay higher teacher salaries why can’t Victoria?"

"Underpaying them and not valuing our teachers properly is forcing many to move interstate and overseas or to leave the profession all together. This will certainly exacerbate severe staffing shortages now and in the future.

"If the government is serious that education is its number one priority and want a first class education system then it needs to quickly resolve this protracted dispute and secure funding in the state budget without
compromising working conditions or educational standards in schools," Ms Pennicuik said.

For further information: Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270