Government loses plot
By Maree O’Halloran
Teachers in the public education system are grappling with issues of moment with their students and seeking to provide the best possible teaching and learning environment in their school and TAFE colleges. The State Government, by contrast, is pre-occupied with political pointscoring of little moment and responding to the interjections of "schoolboy" Brogden.
The sophisticated media manipulation of the Carr Government degenerated into high farce and bathos with the issue of a media release by Education Minister Dr Refshauge on October 29 (a hearing day in the Industrial Relations Commission). The media release was headed "Brogden denigrates teachers and must apologise". Dr Refshauge said: "Mr Brogden made the slur in Question Time today when he said to the speaker: 'Mr Speaker, it does you no credit to act like a school teacher.'"
"These sorts of comments are disrespectful and inappropriate," Dr Refshauge said.
They may well be, but where is Dr Refshauge when the professional and industrial work value of teacher witnesses is being attacked time and time again in the Industrial Relations Commission by the legal team of the Government and the Department of Education and Training?
It is Dr Refshauge who should apologise to NSW public education teachers and instruct the Government's legal team to cease and desist. The denigration of the teaching profession occurring in the small Industrial Relations Commission courtroom in Sydney is of far greater magnitude and significance than an interjection in the halls of Parliament. It's also costing tens of thousands of the public's dollars for the Government to field legal teams to attack teachers.
The same Minister who so vigorously defends us against the Coalition leader's foolish interjections allows the de-valuing of teachers in the Industrial Relations Commission. This is the same Minister, of course, who told teachers and the public that the Government's only argument was and would be "incapacity to pay". Facing the inconvenience of a Budget surplus and policy choices that put the lie to this argument, this same Minister then propounds that it would be irresponsible of Government not to run the strongest case possible (Minister's media conference, September 11).
The Director-General, Ms Jan McClelland, also made assurances to the profession on May 13: "I assure you that the process of establishing a new award will be handled in a professional manner that protects the reputation and status of teachers." Similar assurances were made in September when the case opened. All I can say is that the Director-General must have been sitting in some other courtroom to me. Perhaps she was in the adjoining room where the Catholic school teachers have had their work value recognised. The fact is that she has not been sitting in any courtroom, at any time, listening to any evidence. She has "read" the "transcript" of proceedings and does not agree with the Federation's interpretation of the cross-examination. Our question to the Premier, the Minister and the Director-General is why are the questions being asked at all? What other purpose do they have other than to diminish the work value of teachers?
A love of teaching and learning, the future for our students, professional responsibility -- these are some of the factors that motivate teachers. That these factors continue to give drive and purpose to our work in the face of apparent Government animus is a testament to teachers' professionalism.
Confrontation inevitable
The Premier has refused to respond to correspondence from Federation or to meet with the Senior Officers about the salaries case. And so, inexorably and inevitably, the teaching profession is drawn into another bitter salaries and status dispute with the Government. Federation's efforts to avoid this process included extensive negotiations, advertising, the Vinson Inquiry and recourse to the Industrial Relations Commission. The Government, despite its pre and post election rhetoric of "valuing" teachers, refuses to act. This State Government, in concert with other states, has lost the plot.
A predictable and imminent teacher shortage looms. The Government's strategy is to deny the problem and devalue the profession. Catholic employers by contrast are extending a welcoming hand to teachers while waiting for government money to flow into their coffers.
Public education teachers in Western Australia are considering further industrial action on November 18, while teachers in Victoria will consider action at the beginning of 2004. Teachers in NSW will also be determining a future course of industrial action at Council on November 29.
Full funding critical
Securing a commitment from the Premier to "full funding" is critical to the success of the salaries and status campaign and to protect the public education budget. In the nurses' case, the Premier's commitment was a "green light" to the Industrial Relations Commission that the case could be considered on its merits.
Post the election the Government has already introduced TAFE fees and slashed 1000 jobs from the Department/TAFE. The 2004 TAFE Institute budgets are also under threat: ".... outcomes of current award hearings and the case for pro-rata entitlements for part-time teachers in TAFE may impact on future budget allocations." (Dr Refshauge, October 24)
Hall of infamy
Little wonder then that Dr Refshauge was inducted into the "Hall of Infamy" at the inaugural WollongGONG Awards on November 5, joining Terry Metherell and John Aquilina in the low esteem of teachers in public education.
The WollongGONG Awards were organised by Wollongong TAFE teachers to condemn Government Ministers and their agents for damage perpetrated on public education.
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November 2003 contents
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