One of the Native Media is Getting Restless; Where's That "Education Revolution"? (July 21, 2008)

The editorial in today's Age is headed "We're still waiting for the education revolution" and was sparked by the Minister for Education, Employment and

Credit - Igor Saktor

 Workplace Relations and Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard's giving the inaugural John Button Memorial Lecture last Thursday.

What appears to have upset the The Age's editorial writer was the lack of any new and specific policy pronouncements even though the likelihood of any was remote to say the least.

Ms Gillard did reiterate that education was a good thing and that Australia needs to attract brighter and more qualified individuals to become and remain teachers.

How is yet to be detailed.

It's been clear right from the beginning of the Rudd Labor government taking office that it was going to set up its buffer of reviews to give it time to work out just what it wants to do and when.

So for example it is addressing the matter of what is to be Australia's response to global warming (aka climate change) by instituting the Garnaut Climate Change Review, issuing a green paper in response to Professor Garnaut's draft report, waiting for the final report, and in due course issuing its white paper.

And in similar fashion no doubt the government will follow up its other reviews, for example when dealing with higher education.

With all of that it's worth remembering that it is most unlikely that the results will be as suppressive as the opposition instituted and was contemplating.