82nd Annual Federation Conference Begins

Theme: 'Politics of Public Education'

The 82nd Annual Conference began today in Sydney with over 600 delegates from around the state. The theme for this year's Conference is 'the Politics of Public education'

Sunday July 2

Guest Speakers and Significant Policy debates at the conference include :-
Professor Alan Reid, Dean of Education, University of Adelaide - Public Education and Democracy - The challenges presented, by the rapid changes in the world today, mean a strong and healthy Public Education system is more necessary now than ever before. To ensure this there needs to be shift of funds to the public system.
Professor Jill Blackmore, Deakin University - The Trends in Education - The impact of managerialism, marketisation and privatisation on teachers.
- Sue Simpson will be moving the theme recommendation - "The Politics of Public Education"
- Gary Zadkovich - the 2000 Eric Pearson Study Grant
- Launch of New Federation Web site and Internet Strategy.

Monday 3 July
Denis Fitzgerald, President, AEU
The Next Federal Election - The leaders of Australia's Public Education Unions met last week to consider strategies for the next Federal election. They were highly critical of the education policies of the Federal Government and Minister Dr Kemp. They were extremely disappointed with the lack of policies of the ALP and their silence on the need for a re-distribution of resources to Public Education.
Sharan Burrow, President, ACTU
Charter of Government Responsibilities - Under the Howard Government there has been a destruction of the social fabric and Australia is a divided nation. The ACTU is developing a set of guidelines against which the performance of Government and Opposition parties will be measured.
Tuesday 3rd July
Womens Co-ordinators Report
Staffing our Schools and Colleges
Our Students, Our Future- Policy to support Young People
Professional issues

To those of you not attending the Conference the Federation web site will be updated daily with the debates, highlights and news stories from around the Conference.

Your support of Federation Policy is in the Best interests of Public Education.

For further information