From the Branch President: Why This Election Matters for NT Schools

With the federal election just days away, I want to speak directly to what’s on the line for us here in the Northern Territory, writes NT Branch President Michelle Ayres.

Woman with glasses and AEU polo shirt.

 

Thanks to the collective efforts of members across the country, we’ve secured a long-overdue commitment to fully fund every public school to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2029. This is something the AEU has campaigned on for years – because we’ve seen the real-world impact of chronic underfunding in our classrooms.

For the Northern Territory, this commitment goes even further. As part of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, the Federal Government has agreed to close the remaining 20% needs-based funding gap, with an additional $1bn flowing into NT schools over the next five years. This is not an election promise – this is a formal agreement, and the strongest deal secured by any jurisdiction in the country. For the first time, it is recognised in both the bilateral agreement and the Education Act that the NT education system requires greater and ongoing national investment.

While the AEU is not affiliated with any political party, we do have a responsibility to ensure our members are informed about what’s at stake. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has not committed to standing by this agreement. He has publicly suggested placing conditions on school funding based on classroom content and has dismissed concerns about ongoing underfunding. The AEU wrote to him in February to request clarity on his education policy – we’ve received no response.

In contrast, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued a public video message reaffirming his support for full SRS funding and recognising the contribution of teachers across the country.

We are not here to tell members how to vote — but we do encourage every educator to weigh the facts, consider the implications for our schools, and speak up for the future of public education.

For more information election updates from AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe on our website:

Public Schools Are At Risk Under Dutton

Rebuild With TAFE – Week of Action

Dutton Is Playing the Trump Card

Prime Minister’s Message to the Teaching Profession

Let’s keep fighting for the schools our students and communities deserve!