What is the cost of the STCA claim - is it expensive?

The PPTA claim for increases to base salary, management units and allowances has a gross cost of about $300M.  Until 2004 PPTA had 18 month settlements and that meant we could have two claims each of $150M over three years.  This time with a three year claim the up front cost is higher.  Note also that the $300M includes GST and tax that goes straight back to the government which makes a net cost of about $180M to the government

The three annual increases of 4% that are claimed are not out of line with other recent wage increases eg the most recent median LCI is about 4.2% (5.5% in the public sector and 3.2% in the private sector).  Secondary teachers accepted in 2004 salary increases equivalent to the median LCI and they are asking for no more than the relevant equivalency now to maintain relativity with other wage and salary increases.