AW AR D
WO M E N’S FOCU S
All I want for Christmas Tish Champion, AEU Women’s Officer, has a short list. And it’s not just increased funding to public schools.
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ery shortly it will be Christmas and some of us will be getting gifts to make us happy. In my stocking I want a commitment from political parties in South Australia that if elected they will invest in domestic violence (DV) programs to support the growing number of people impacted. COVID-19 has, among other things, produced a spike in the number of incidents of DV across Australia and the world, and more needs to be done to support survivors. In recent weeks the NSW Government unveiled a $500 million support package for DV survivors, with a focus on refuges and emergency housing. Fleeing a DV situation has always been difficult but the impact of COVID on movement and employment has made it even harder for someone to leave. The NSW injection of funding will provide 75 new and refurbished refuges, comprehensive wraparound services such as counsellors, educators, caseworkers, and legal advisors, and a large investment in social and affordable housing. There was an increase of 11% in the incidence of DV in SA from 2019 to 2020. While the 9,526 family and domestic related assaults reported to SA police in
and up to two terms, they can still use the Register but must hold a panel process that includes two people, a staff elected rep and themselves as chairperson. • If the vacancy needs filling for more than two terms, they can still use the Register but must hold a panel process that includes three people, themselves as chairperson, a staff rep elected by staff and a governing council rep.
2020 falls way short of the 140,000 DVrelated responses by NSW police in 2020, there is still a dire need for more investment by the SA government in emergency housing for women and children escaping violence. Obviously, men may also experience DV but it is predominantly women who find themselves in untenable domestic situations. With a woman dying at the hands of a current or former intimate partner every 9 days in Australia, local and federal governments must inject much needed funds into DV programs. There are also many flow-on impacts of DV for women including the rising number of older women becoming homeless. When we go to the polls, I want to see who is committed to improving the lives of women and children in South Australia, including implementing measures to address the short- and longterm impacts of domestic violence. n
DV HELP • Call 000 If you are experiencing domestic violence and you are in immediate danger. • Call 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT) to access 24/7 counselling and support.
Ideally, an Education Director would fill a suddenly vacant principal position from a Register for no more than one term and during that term advertise and fill the vacancy following consultation with staff and parents and via a merit selection panel process. But we know this isn’t an ideal world and sadly, that doesn’t always happen. What should you do if this hasn’t happened in your site? The short answer – contact the AEU for advice. n
Preservice dedication recognised AEU SA Branch Secretary, Leah York presents Takuto Niijima with the AEU Preservice Teacher Award at the 2021 University of Adelaide School of Education Award Night. Takuto Niijima, a Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts graduate thanked the AEU for our work in public education and the generous prize which included: • a year of AEU membership; • a year of Teachers Registration Board Fees; and • a classroom management course. “It was great to see graduates being recognised for their hard work this year across a range of subjects and awards categories. The future in education looks bright!” The AEU offers Student (associate) membership to students studying to become a teacher. See our website for more information on the benefits of n student membership.
AEU Information Unit Mondays: 8.15am – 5.00pm Tuesday to Friday: 10.30am – 5.00pm E: info@aeusa.asn.au
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