Mmmm ...
I watched Stateline tonight and saw excerpts from Howard's speech the Centre for Independent Studies. So I sought it out ... A real corker (not).
http://www.pm.gov.au/media/speech/2007/speech24321.cfm
Here is an example of the importance of taking into account the space in which a message is delivered. This speech was at the CIS, arguably, a right-wing think-tank, and Howard exhibited an arrogance he would only reserve for such a place (never if this was to be broadcast on populist commercial television, for example). Although broadcast in parts, perhaps, the milieu is so important, as the CIS is addressed as a sympathetic friend, a co-opponent of unions, academics, and leftists.
"Last Tuesday, the Government announced $457 million in assistance for students who are not meeting the literacy benchmarks at years three, five, seven and nine and parents will receive $700 vouchers to enable those children to receive extra, personalised tuition. We are also providing financial rewards to schools that achieve the greatest improvements in literacy and numeracy. As if on cue, the Australian Education Union is now arguing that literacy and numeracy tests are invalid because they cannot assess a child's sense of wonder. No, I'm not making this up. In 2007, the Australian Education Union believes that testing if a child can read, write and add up is wrong. I await the howls of protest from those on the so-called progressive side of politics who supposedly care about social mobility. I look forward to reading the co-authored letters and full-page advertisements attacking the AEU's outdated ideology from those human rights lawyers, academics and welfare groups who regularly criticise the Government for not doing enough for the underprivileged. This thinking is not simply a recipe for a failing schools system. It's a script for national decline. "
Somehow, I don't get the foreshadowed attack on the AEU by people who are often associated with it (am I missing something?), but what I do get is a message that no matter what anyone else says, it will be laughed at. What arrogance!
But why would I think he was doing anything for the underpriveleged, when there is no mention of means testing for the distribution of these tuition funds? Is Kevin Donnelly's daughter eligible for a $700 voucher even though her father is an 'education expert' earning very well, and an English teacher for 18 years? It would seem so.
