Government attempts to impose new culture, devolution and deregulation unilaterally

By Jennifer Leete

The Carr Government has moved to devolve its responsibility for the state of public education by way of shifting blame to its employees.

Devolution in the public sector is a tactic used by conservative governments to abrogate responsibility for their failed policies which result in under-funding of quality government services. As resourcing fails to meet needs, devolution and "local flexibility" is used by governments to shift responsibility and, ultimately, blame.

On June 18 Education Minister and then Acting Premier Andrew Refshauge, announced a so-called "without prejudice" proposal to change the working and employment conditions of principals and other teachers.

The announcement had nothing to do with salaries. The salaries increases paid to teachers in promotions positions in Catholic schools were used as the excuse by the Government and DET to roll out, ahead of schedule, a plan that senior Department of Education and Training officers had been working on for a long time. It is a plan to devolve greater responsibility and so-called accountability to the individual school level. At the same time it seeks to break down or loosen the regulations (by way of policy documents, determinations, industrial agreements) which cover the operations of schools.

Following the June 18 announcement, Director-General Andrew Cappie-Wood sought to "negotiate" the agenda with the Federation as an alleged "package" which would include the payment of the flow on of the Catholic increases to promoted teachers in schools. Federation refused to accept that payment of the salaries increases should in any way be contingent upon the Government's agenda. When the award variation was made in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) by consent, the IRC noted Federation had rejected the alleged initiatives. The grounds for the consent award referred to work value and made no reference to the Government's agenda. Despite this, on June 30, Dr Refshauge announced that the Government would proceed to implement the following:

• principals to become the delegated employer for the management of occupational health and safety, and workplace injuries
• principals to take over management of leave for school staff
• fixed term appointments for principals
• changing the Teaching Services Act to allow people from other states and education systems to apply on merit for executive positions in NSW public schools.

The announcement represents the Government and DET shifting to policy-making by unilateralism.

Federation has reminded the Government and DET that they will be unable to effect changes in public education without negotiation with the Federation on behalf of teachers. Attempts to impose change and intimidate teachers by threatening job security will be met with resistance and a withdrawal of goodwill by teachers. Further imposition of unilateral change will not be in the interests of the advancement of public education. Attempts to dress up such changes as "greater local control" and local management will fail.

Jennifer Leete is the Acting President.

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August 2004 contents