Shadow Treasurer Curtis Pitt says the loss of guidance teachers as part of the LNP government’s program of massing sackings and savage cuts to frontline services will do nothing to secure the employment futures of young Queenslanders.
Mr Pitt said the loss of seven guidance officers in North Queensland under the Newman Government would place an added load on remaining teachers.
“It is no good the government saying the loss of seven guidance officers on contracts will be compensated by the engagement of two full-time officers,” he said.
“The role of guidance officers is a very important one and can help shape the futures of young people.
“They also deal with troubled students or those with learning difficulties or disabilities,” he said.
Mr Pitt said he had discussed the loss of NQ guidance officers with the Queensland Teachers’ Union.
“It seems the LNP government has no concept of investing now in future outcomes,” he said.
“The same Education Minister, John-Paul Langbroek, who cuts guidance teachers also scrapped the highly successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work program which funded numerous schemes that delivered training and ultimately jobs to young people and others who want to enter the work force.
“Skilling Queenslanders for Work was an investment in people and their futures, just like guidance teachers.
“Independent consultants Deloitte found that in just the two years from 2008 to 2010 the various programs within Skilling Queenslanders for Work had put 57,000 people into work and of them, 8,500 simply would not have found a job without the scheme.
“The Deloitte report showed SQW generated net benefits to the community through the additional taxes paid by those gaining employment and reduced payouts in social security benefits and other government outlays. In the long SQW would deliver $7.60 in benefits for every $1 it cost to run.
“But it is clear the LNP simply does not care about this sort of investment in the future of young Queenslanders.
“Typically in the health sector the LNP slashes and burns preventive health programs while ignoring the fact such schemes can help lighten the load on our hospitals and other health services in the future,” he said.
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