There’s a state election coming up next week… yawn. Two equally beige colours to choose from. As the only candidate in my electorate that I’ve received any information from is Labor, I sent him an email.
What could have been a long list, pointing out the problems of our school system, I simply wanted to ask about 2 promises the NSW Labor party has made and 1 the VIC Labor party has made.
- Labor talks about a four-year Support for Beginning Teachers plan. Will their plan cover teachers who begun before 2008 when the plan will be implemented?
- Is there more to Labor’s plans for technology in schools than one IWB per school?
- When are Labor going to make a commitment like the VIC Labor Party to rebuild the generation of school buildings constructed in the 1950s and 1960s that are reaching the end of their useful life?
Updated 21/3/07:
- I sent a modified version to the Liberal candidate, and quickly got a response. Answers to the first two points were her own thoughts, not policy. So, I sent a follow-up question to the first point, considering the Liberal party have an announcement in the linked SMH article. No response to the follow-up. On maintenance in schools, the third point, I received a list of Coalition promises.
- I received a “will get back to you” response from Labor.
- In his brief response, the Labor candidate made a good point: “such feedback is often the only way issues are brought to my attention”.
- I’m still an undecided voter. My vote on Saturday, could well be based on the best graphic designed flyer received in the walk through political party fanperson alley.
The cynics response:
1. It probably won’t start by 2008 even if elected
2. There is no more to as it’s probably all talk as it is
3. They will make the commitment when students are killed in a building collapse
Is this too cynical?