Welcome to Progressive Educator

Progressive Educator is a network of education workers in South Australia.

Our goals are to further the interests of public education and of education worker unionism.

We will update this site from time to time with articles about social and educational issues of relevance to AEU members in South Australia, including links to relevant articles and websites.

Our most recent email newsletter is reproduced below.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

(Forward this website on to friends and colleagues who want a progressive union that will strongly represent educators in preschool, school and TAFE.)

2006/2007 Budget Cuts Campaign

Strong community campaigning by AEU members across the state supported by principals and parent associations has forced a state government back down on the Workcover component of the 2006/07 budget cuts. It’s a great result and demonstrates the power of united and sustained strategic action. The tactic of targeting MPs in their electorates and providing them with information about the impact of the cuts was very powerful. So too, was the threat of the one hour industrial action. The campaign continues and further action is possible, if not likely, depending upon the outcome of negotiations with DECS about the remaining matter:

• 5% interest creamed from preschool/school SASIF accounts


• 30 TRT days loss for preschools and schools with TPTs


• $36 million over four years loss to education for the so called state government efficiency dividend

These remaining matters still have the potential to impact upon learning programmes in preschools and schools. Branch Council of 18 August will consider the outcomes of negotiations and decide upon the need for further industrial action.

Swimming and Aquatics

In another campaign win for AEU members the state government announced that Swimming and Aquatics jobs would be saved and the budget allocation remain. Some further negotiation is required around the ongoing delivery of the swimming and aquatics program. DECS has proposed the introduction of 3 year contracts for instructors. There is a strong argument for permanency on this basis.

Instrumental Music

Announced in much the same terms – maintenance of the budget and no loss of jobs has also been a win for the campaign mounted by AEU members of the IMS sub branches. Significant issues remain to be resolved including delivery to secondary schools, music class size and travel. There is also some significant concern regarding the methodology of delivering music to students and further discussions will need to occur.

Activists get the white car call in DECS attempt to intimidate

A member from the IMS branch recently received a call to meet a DECS executive officer to discuss their active role in the media and the Code of Conduct. It was a clumsy attempt to intimidate and bully an active AEU member and to undermine their right to engage in AEU campaigns. This comes on top off media reports of principals also feeling intimidated by DECS officials. The Minister of course denies that a culture of bullying exists in DECS

One Minister, 20 DECS Officers and still clueless!

Budget estimates is the annual exercise in parliament whereby the Treasurer and ministers are interrogated about the state budget.

Opposition spokesperson for Education Iain Evans asked quite a few insightful questions about the impact of budget ‘reinvestments’ (otherwise known as budget cuts).

One question in relation to Work Cover costs for DECS had the Minister scratching for an answer and the gathered DECS officers scrambling through papers for a response – which wasn’t forthcoming.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Will the minister explain the difference between the 2005 figure of $40.488 million from DECS and $18.9 million?

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: I will take the question on notice.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Out of 20 officers and a minister, no-one knows

Howard’s jackboot takeover

The Howard Government’s 11th hour response to the issues facing Aboriginal communities should be seen for the cynical political election stunt that it is. His new found concern for Aboriginal children comes months out from an election after more than a decade of utter contempt for reconciliation in office and ignoring the plight Aboriginal people.

Commentators have already identified the puzzling attempt to eliminate community control over who enters Aboriginal lands as part of a broader strategy to make easy the takeover of Aboriginal land for mining interests. Territory police are advising against such a move because unlimited access will allow for undesirable and exploitative individuals entering the lands for exploitative purposes.

Howard has failed utterly to enunciate any positive initiatives that would support the self determination of Aboriginal people. No commitment has been made to boost education for Aboriginal people despite the recommendations made by the Wilde-Anderson report.