Widespread staff shortages continue to disrupt schools and early childhood education
centres. The staffing crisis now faces yet another complication, with essential education
workers being priced out of housing near their workplace.
Union members fight for change in their workplaces, industries, professions and communities. Our
campaigns often come up against powerful interests determined to block such progress.
Sadly, the referendum didn’t deliver our First Nations People a Voice.
In areas with majority Indigenous populations, the YES vote was successful. 67% of union members
voted YES; however, our community campaign and solidarity actions weren’t enough. This time.
Union activists know that tough campaigns can take years to win. This is a setback but not a defeat.
The IEU will never stop fighting for Indigenous members, students and their school communities.
The high level of YES support from younger Australians gives great hope that change will come. This
new and growing cohort of voters strongly rejected the politics of division and negativity.
As educators, we are dedicated to making a positive difference for future generations. We have a
powerful opportunity to impact the lives of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
students in our schools, kindergartens and preschools.
▪ IEU members remain deeply committed to closing the gap in educational outcomes and the
wellbeing of Indigenous students in our care.
▪ IEU members remain deeply committed to teaching about the struggles and proud history of
our nation’s First People, and how our community can embrace true reconciliation.
▪ IEU members remain deeply committed to our campaign for greater funding and targeted
resources to address educational disadvantage through forums such as the National School
Reform Agreement and Early Years (Childhood Education) Strategy.
▪ IEU members remain deeply committed to closing the gap in jobs, household earnings and
living standards through better wages, secure work and fairer workplace laws.
▪ IEU members remain deeply committed to delivering better recognition and reward for our
First Nations members working as Indigenous liaison officers, education youth workers and in
cultural support roles in schools.
▪ IEU members remain deeply committed to creating pathways for more Indigenous people to
become teachers within a more diverse and inclusive profession.
▪ IEU members remain deeply committed to improving the representation of First Nations
People in our delegate structures, leadership roles and union workplaces.
Our core union values promote consultation, representation and inclusion. This is why the IEU, and
our 75,000 members, will always stand in solidarity with our First Australians
