
Issue No 89		23 March 2001

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News

Carr Proposal For Public Schools Flawed

NSW teachers are underwhelmed by the Carr government's new public education plan which includes the closure of several inner city schools.

Federation President Sue Simpson says the government has squandered an opportunity to show its commitment to public education.

"Whilst the Federation welcomes the production of a plan, teachers, parents and the community will need to be convinced that this is more than just a firesale of public assets, a real estate agent's solution to the crisis in confidence in public education in the inner city," Simpson says.

"The funding of the proposal relies on the closure of five public high schools and three public primary schools to pay for infrastructure improvements. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul. This shows the extent to which governments have allowed public education infrastructure to deteriorate.

"This proposal builds on the policy failures of the past. Over the last ten years and at a time of expanding enrolments in private schools Coalition and Labor governments have been engaged in piecemeal restructuring of our public schools not based on comprehensive and sound research.

Simpson says the Federation will conduct its own independent review if the Government continues to avoid coming to grips with past policy failures.

And she says substantial funding increases for public education in the May 29 State Budget must be provided to compensate for years of government neglect of its own public education system.

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  Issue 89 contents

Interview: Paddy Takes the Helm
Irish, internationalist, republican, socialist & seafarer - Paddy Crumlin intends taking the old traditions of the labour left into the 21st century, the community and cyberspace.

Unions: Breaking the Mould
Mark Hearn looks at how women union delegates are helping to change the culture in the traditionally male bastion of glassworking.

Legal: Washing Their Hands
Mark Morey outlines how Liberal neglect of the working visa system has led to exploitation of guest workers.

International: Violence Betrays Shangri-La
Shangri-La hotel union members carrying a coffin marked Robert Kuok have been assaulted and beaten by police in Jakarta.

Economics: Corporations: Different Than You and Me
Corporations are fundamentally different than you and me. That's a simple truth that Big Business leaders desperately hope the public will not perceive.

History: The Steel Octopus
Be prepared for a flood of Nostalgia from the media about the ï¿½Big Australianï¿½, as it prepares to flee our shores and finally internationalise its digging operations. Workers wonï¿½t forget BHPï¿½s less than worker friendly past and present (and no doubt itï¿½s future).

Review: Mean Nation
John Allen charts the fall and fall of philanthropy in Australian society.

Satire: Ryan 'A Big Wake-Up Call For Me': Beazley
The narrow victory to Labor in the Ryan by-election has delivered a big slap in the face to Leader of the Opposition Kim Beazley.

» Abbott and ï¿½Drinking Buddyï¿½ Under Microscope

» Working Visas: Ruddock Sells Dump to Abbott

» Tourist Guides Bussed In

» Fair Wear Holds Breath as Carr Celebrates

» Labor to Restore Public Sectorï¿½s Dignity

» Its Time for Carr to Act on Safey on Building Sites

» Bread Maker Slices Workforce

» Workers Show Grace Under Pressure

» Engineers Win BHP Redundancy Case

» Transport Drug Pushers Not Charged

» Training Body Needs $150 Million to Cope with Growth

» HIH Urged To Safeguard Employee Entitlements

» Carr Proposal For Public Schools Flawed

» Human Smirk Returns to Spiritual Home

» McGauchie Appointment Draws MUA Fire

» Bove Loses McDonald's Raid Appeal

» James Hardie Called to Account

» Australasian Union Organising Conference

» Activist Notebook