NT Teacher Strike Advertising Labelled Deceptive

The Territory Opposition has labelled the latest series of taxpayer funded Government advertising in the NT News about the teachers strike as misleading and deceptive.

The advertisement comparing Australian teacher’s wages after 5 years of service shows the Territory teachers are the best paid in the country.

What is not stated is that Territory teachers reach their maximum pay after 5 years, whereas all other Australian teacher’s wages continue to increase. A comparison of maximum wages for teachers would have shown NSW, Victoria and ACTS all being paid more than Territory teachers.

“These types of advertising techniques are better suited to selling dodgy goods on late night television,” says Terry Mills, Leader of the Opposition.

“Implying that Territory teachers are the best paid in the country will do nothing to end the teachers strike.

“This tawdry attempt to manipulate public opinion will just harden teachers resolve to get a better deal from the Government.

“If this misleading advertising prolongs the teacher’s strike, the real victims will be Territory students.

“Already too many school hours have been lost and the Government’s ill-judged tactics are likely to result in more disruption.

“This misleading advertising is particularly ironic given the Territory Government criticism of the Opposition’s policy of making the Territory’s teachers the best paid in the country.

“Nor would this attempt to mislead the public have passed an independent audit of Government advertising.

“Each week brings a new example of the Territory Government dipping its hands into taxpayer’s pockets to fund its re-election campaign.

“This from a Government that still hasn’t managed to put a qualified teacher in every primary school classroom.”

2008-05-26