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The Australian Education Union (AEU) strongly opposes any unilateral declaration of war and Australia's involvement in any pre-emptive attack on Iraq.
The threat of a strike by the USA, supported by the United Kingdom and Australia, contravenes international law, is a threat to world peace and must be resisted by the UN Security Council.
The AEU believes that to avoid what will be a killing field on the streets of Baghdad; every effort must be made within the mandate of the UN to find a diplomatic solution to the current crisis.
Peace has always been a union issue.
It is working women and men and their children who bear the brutal brunt of war. Economies are destroyed, jobs are lost and families dislocated, wounded and killed.
As educators we teach our students about tolerance and peace and their role in creating a world where people live together peacefully.
Many of our teacher and allied staff members are also parents who strongly oppose sending their children to war. We have raised our daughters and sons to embrace the multicultural aspects of our Australian society. We cannot condone mass slaughter and destruction. We did not have children in order for them to become murderers for Bush, Blair and Howard.
Nearly fifty percent of the population of Iraq is under 14 years of age; and up to a million families are already displaced. Save the Children Fund reports that there is widespread suffering with malnourishment endemic and war will further exacerbate an already desperate humanitarian crisis.
War is not the answer.
War is not the solution.
The real issue is disarmament as a first step to global security. The continuing development of all weapons of mass destruction must be stopped. The AEU is strongly opposed to the development and stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction whether by Iraq or any other country.
UN mandated international inspection of any country stockpiling weapons of mass destruction – chemical, biological or nuclear – whether Iraq, USA or Russia would significantly contribute to global peace and security.
The AEU is deeply concerned that Bush and Blair's unrelenting war rhetoric has drowned out legitimate calls from many in the world community for a commitment to the search for peace as a means of global security.
Australian women public education unionists, join with the increasing number of individuals, community organisations and religious communities in supporting the continued strong presence and authority of the United Nations in combating the development of weapons of mass destruction.
This Federal AEU Women's conference calls on all Australian political leaders to oppose a war on Iraq and denounces any suggestion of a war levy. Further, we congratulate the organisers of this public demonstration for World Peace.
WOMEN AND ACTIVISM
PREAMBLE
The AEU Women's Conference strongly endorses the development by AEU Women's Officers of a campaigning kit to support and encourage women's contacts/workplace delegates to promote activism amongst all women public education workers. The kit is to be developed in consultation with Aboriginal and multicultural officers and members.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That Women's Officers produce a campaigning kit for women's contacts to be launched at Federal Women's Conference 2003.
2. That Branches and Associated Bodies support the kit by including it in their women's conference program, trade union training etc.
3. That the kit be delivered to local associations/sub-branches supported by all officers including the Women's Officer.
WOMEN AND THE PROFESSION
Key Elements to Consider:
Campaign Issue
Message
Audience/ Target Group
Objectives of the Campaign
Length of the Campaign
Who will be involved
Activities for the Campaign
Timetable of Events/Activities
Resources needed
Use of the media
Review process
DECISION:
That Federal Executive authorise the development and implementation of the “What Stops Us?” campaign.
WOMEN AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Campaign Issue/s
Objectives of the Campaign
Length of the Campaign
Who will be involved
Activities for the Campaign – Branches/Associated Bodies to consider:
Timetable of Events/Activities
Resources needed
Contact with other organisations
Review process
DECISION
That the AEU Women's Conference endorse the proposed campaign on Human Rights and recommend to Branches/Associated Bodies the attached program of activities.
DECISION
That AEU Branches/Associated Bodies condemn the move by the Federal government to revoke the temporary protection visa resulting in families/individuals who have settled in Australia and have been recognized as genuine asylum seekers being repatriated.
DECISION
That the AEU continue to assist Branches/Associated Bodies to lobby/campaign for children in detention centres to gain access to education through attendance in local community schools. Detainee children should be provided with adequate cultural support to enable them to appropriately access that education.
DECISION
That the AEU calls upon this Federal Government to allow refugees on temporary protection visas to access all entitlements provided for refugees and migrants in the Immigration Act with particular access to language and basic education classes.
DECISION
That the AEU Federal Office work with Carla Lipsig-Mummie, the keynote speaker at AEU Federal Women's Conference 2002, in the development of a resource publication for students on Knowing Your Rights. This resource will raise awareness of young students about:
The AEU is to assist in the distribution of this resource.
WOMEN, WORK AND LIFE
DECISION
1. That Women's Officers review and update the National Claims Framework.
2. That Branches and Associated Bodies will be encouraged to incorporate the updated National Claims Framework provisions in their enterprise bargaining negotiations.
3. That each Branch/Associated Body conduct audits of workplaces. This will have three purposes:
4. That the Federal Office prepare a proforma campaign template pamphlet that Branches/Associated Bodies can use in this campaign.
5. That the Federal Women's Officer, in conjunction with the Women's Officers, prepare a response to the HREOC Paid Maternity Leave Report and distribute to Branches/Associated Bodies for recommended action.
NO HECS
DECISION
The concept of a HECS type loan scheme for TAFE Students articulating to university courses has been floated by Dr. Brendan Nelson as part of a review of higher education.
This would effectively reduce educational opportunity and access for a broad range of students in Australian society.
Dr Brendan Nelson is using this concept as yet another revenue earner for the Government. This strategy is another attempt to further promote the government's philosophy of a user pay system in education and is part of its ongoing attack on quality free public education.
KEY ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER:
Campaign Issues
HECS is detrimental to educational pathways, particularly for women and people from socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
If applied to TAFE Diplomas, HECS could also apply to students not completing a Diploma for university entry, but who are studying a single unit, a unit contained in a course other than a Diploma (eg. Entry level course, apprenticeship, certificate), or a unit for which RPL is gained, or students in VET in schools.
Message
AEU policy is for free public education.
HECS applied in the TAFE sector with the aim of capturing fees for articulation to higher education could impact on students other than those articulating to university.
Audience/ Target Group
Objectives of the Campaign
Length of the Campaign
Who will be involved
Activities for the Campaign
Timetable of Events/Activities
Resources needed
Communication Methods
Use of the media
Contact with other Unions
Contact with other organisations
Review process
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That this AEU Women's Conference reject any suggestion by Federal or state governments that a HECS type loan or charge be applied in TAFE.
2. That this Conference support a campaign against HECS in TAFE or in other educational pathways.
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Copyright
© 2008 Australian Education Union
- Federal Office
120 Clarendon Street, Southbank, Victoria, Australia 3006
Ph: +61 3 9693 1800 Fax: +61 3 9693 1805
Email: aeu@aeufederal.org.au