Critical Times

Source: Progressive Educator

We know we are making progress putting pressure on this government when MPs as high as the Treasurer see fit to berate you (as long as it’s in private).

At a recent Community Cabinet Meeting, where the Premier and Cabinet meet local community members and pretend to answer their questions, Kevin Foley initiated a conversation with me in the bathroom. As I was standing at the stall, he read the slogan on the back of my appleforteacher T-shirt. Our conversation continued through hand-washing until the Treasurer lost interest after he finished talking.

FOLEY: “We’re fighting the Rann Government to stop eating away at Public Edication.” What a bunch of bullshit. The Rann Government has only increased funding to Education. Haven’t you lot heard there’s a fucken’ global financial crisis going on?

ME: Our issue, Mr Foley, is that your proposed funding model will allow Treasurer’s to cut funding per student and use the global financial crisis as a reason.

FOLEY: (Scoffs) Our proposal will increase funding, as we have done in the past.

ME: For how long, Mr Foley? Two years? What about after that?

FOLEY: Yes.

ME: Will you guarantee that in writing?

He glared at me with a look that said, “how dare you use your brain and question your government, peasant. And make me use mine to think of an answer.”

FOLEY: It’s in our budget forecasts –

I cut him off; he wasn’t impressed.

ME: I’m not interested in forecasts and predictions. What we want is a guarantee in our staffing document, attached to our award, that ensures staffing levels are maintained.

FOLEY: (conceding to me that he wants the option to cut the budget open to him) Where’s the money gonna come from?

ME: Well Mr Foley, that’s your job. That’s why the people voted –

He cut me off before I could finish my sentence with “for you.”

FOLEY: You need to fucken’ get real. I got workers at Holden working three days a fucken’ week –

ME: I’m a professional and expected to paid accordingly –

FOLEY: I’ll tell you this, you will not fucken’ get what you’re after.

With that, he exited the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

(Posted by an education worker who attended a Community Cabinet Meeting recently).