“I just think that it’s important for us – when we look at what we call modern-day bullying – that we are assessing … whether that had any effect on the person to whom they are referring,” Langbroek said.
Farmer said she was prepared to deliver the messages if needed, adding: “The premier lives in my electorate so I’ll pass that on to him myself.”
Queensland teachers march through Brisbane on their way to Parliament House.Credit: Brisbane Times / Catherine Strohfeldt
When asked to clarify, Langbroek said he was not implying the premier was being bullied by state school teachers.
The exchange in budget estimates came as the Education Department and teachers union returned to the bargaining table in a conciliation hearing overseen by the Industrial Relations Commission.
“That’s appropriate, that we’re going to sit down with this independent umpire to continue our offer – to enhance the offer that we have made,” Langbroek told reporters earlier.
About 90 per cent of teachers in state schools took strike action on Wednesday, with the remaining teachers supervising the 70,000-odd students in attendance along with principals and teachers aides.
Langbroek said the state had been “dealing with” issues faced by teachers, particularly violence in classrooms and school yards, with initiatives to tackle bullying and cut red tape.
“We’re continuing to address issues that many teachers have expressed concern about … making sure with all of those things together, that we can improve those conditions,” Langbroek said.
He said the state was prepared to sweeten its offer, but would not be drawn on what conditions might be added, or whether the government would increase its pay offer.
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On Thursday he also released a report into a $441 million maintenance backlog at public schools, which found roofs, ceilings, walls and gutters in “poor” or “very poor” condition, pointing the finger at the former Labor government for failing to keep up the maintenance work.
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