Unions have a useful role to play

Comments on Christopher Bantick “School autonomy plan will be union's last stand”, 31/12/2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/school-autonomy-plan-will-be-unions-last-stand/story-e6frg6zo-1225978938975

I must confess that I have little to do with unions at the outset before I begin my commenting.

There are two sides of the story and Christopher Bantick appears to be on the extreme part of one side.

If the public or taxpayers have difficulties to hold the one state government and parliament to account, how could they hold so many taxpayers funded individual schools and hospitals accountable for their performances?

It is easy to say that let poor performed schools die, but what about the students in them? That is especially important and pressing, given the fact that school performance are affected by many factors and the socio economic background of students included.

There should and must be an appropriate administration of taxpayers' money.

Christopher Bantick seems a fun of Gillard's approach, how he feels about her BEN wastes? Don't just simply say that was others responsibility and problems.

So please be realistic and not too idealogical on either side, mate. The reality is much more complex than you presented.

Further, while not all actions by unions are good, but there should be a role for unions to protect the most vulnerable ones in any professions.

Of course, that does not mean that unions should be above everyone else or other organisations.