Victorian teachers beat down iniquitous laptop leasing scheme

Credit: itnews

Teachers in government schools in the Australian state of Victoria have, since 2009, been required to lease laptop computers from their employer. Further, they have been prevented from using a laptop they may already own.

Apparently, this iniquitous arrangement has been brought to an end by a decision in the Victorian Federal Court on Friday, which ruled the scheme was illegal under the Fair Work Act. Victorian education authorities look set to have to repay up to $20 million in back pay & interest.

New South Wales & Western Australia have operated similar schemes, which are likely to suffer similar fates.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-07/teachers-may-be-repaid-millions-over-department-laptop-scheme/6921128

http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/teachers-sue-over-having-to-lease-laptops-from-education-department-20140721-zv6ch.html

http://www.itnews.com.au/news/victorian-teachers-beat-down-unlawful-laptop-leasing-scheme-411548 / $20m in compensation Victorian state government forced pay back $20 million school teachers lease laptops Education department federal court ruled scheme unlawful Australian Education Union launched legal action 2013 mandate Victorian Department of Education teachers access laptop classrooms requirement existed July 2009 teachers restrictedtheir own devices lease laptops department charged $4 $17 per fortnight machines automatically taken out teacher salaries agency operated standard four-year lease agreement Victorian federal court Friday ruled scheme illegal Fair Work Act employers prohibited forcing staff spend money specific area considered to be unreasonable Act states Federal Court Justice Mordecai Bromberg laptop leasing program unreasonable teachers had no choice participate scheme inflicted excessive costs did not benefit teachers ruling potential implications other jurisdictions across the country NSW Western Australia operate similar laptop leasing programs decision stands state Education department pay back $20 million amount charged teachers laptops more than 40,000 teachers affected scheme Australian Education Union laptops essential teachers unreasonable pay resources job teachers need computers write school reports respond to parent emails develop co-ordinate curriculum collaborate colleagues offices desks teach classrooms need laptop computers Meredith Peace AEU Victorian president statement today’s decision teachers principals state monies unlawfully deducted salaries wages receive backpay interest /