ACT Education Minister Faces Criticism as Schools Close for Strike

By Niki Burnside

Topic: Education

Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 12:29 pm

People gathered outside the ACT Legislative Assembly as teachers went on strike.

In short:

ACT MLA Yvette Berry was criticized by the Canberra Liberals and the ACT Greens for her handling of education and housing.

The criticism happened as ACT teachers went on strike for a day during negotiations with the government.

Ms. Berry accepted criticism but defended her record as a minister and said she had requested reviews of education and housing.

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry was criticized in the Legislative Assembly amid a teachers' strike that closed schools.

Ms. Berry was criticized in a joint motion by the Canberra Liberals and the ACT Greens for her handling of education and housing.

The Australian Education Union is in a dispute with the government over a new agreement, with concerns about staffing and workloads.

The strike follows a two-hour work stoppage last month, the first such action by ACT public school teachers in over 15 years.

Today, Ms. Berry defended her record and said she had called for recent reviews of housing and education.

She said she was taking a more active role in negotiations with the union, adding she knew teachers were frustrated.

Teachers went on strike in the ACT for a whole day after a two-hour work stoppage in May.

'A sustained record of failure'

The joint criticism was sparked by concerns over a 'sustained record of failure' in education and housing.

Minister Berry said the system was performing strongly, but a review showed deep and systemic failures in education.

The review showed schools in the ACT were affected by confusion, inconsistency, and poor communication.

ACT schools are closed today due to industrial action by teachers.

They cited growing administrative burdens, a central office growing faster than schools, and inadequate support for students with disabilities.

They said Ms. Berry's record on housing was 'equally concerning'.

Reports and investigations pointed to serious and sustained mismanagement within Housing ACT under Labor's watch.

Mark Parton says the criticism is 'overdue'.

Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton said there had been 'continued, repeated failures' in education and housing.

Mr. Parton said public schools were under pressure, and the review revealed widespread failures.

'We believe it is well overdue to criticize this minister,' he said.

'I know that they're angry'

Ms. Berry told ABC Radio Canberra that she was listening to the concerns of teachers.

I know that they're frustrated, I know that they're angry, I know that they're tired.

Yvette Berry says she understands teachers are frustrated and is listening to their concerns.

She said she had called for the education review and accepted the criticism aimed at the public school system.

I've tried to explain to Mark Parton and Jo Clay that reviews are part of government, and it's not about being happy.

It's about identifying gaps and issues and responding to recommendations.

Teachers went on strike for a whole day in Canberra on June 11 amid negotiations with the ACT government.

She said other jurisdictions were watching how the ACT government responded to the review.

It could never have happened overnight or without the expert advice of a review.

In similar circumstances, I referred my directorate to the auditor-general due to concerns about specialist disability accommodation.

Minister taking 'significant' role in negotiations

Ms. Berry said she had grown up in public housing and attended ACT public schools, and her commitment to both was 'something I've lived and breathed'.

It's not always easy, and I'm not perfect, and that's why I accept the criticism.

I know that there needs to be more done, and that's why I take it seriously.

She said she had recently taken a more active role in negotiations with the union.

ACT teachers have raised concerns about staffing and workloads as they negotiate a new agreement.

They have been working with the directorate to negotiate a new agreement.

I know that hasn't gone as well as they would have hoped, they haven't had the clarity or certainty they required.

She said there was some complexity to the negotiations and a significant investment needed to be made into schools.

Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 12:29 pm

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