Fresh from a victory in last month's state election the Iemma government has felt safe to go against the grain and dump the usual protocols when appointing a new Director General of Education.
The appointee - Michael Coutts-Trotter - has no education experience. More to the point, he served two years and nine months as a convicted criminal when aged nineteen - and admits that he was guilty of being both a drug user and drug seller. What this man has to offer education is anyone's guess.
The appointment tends to rub a raw nerve for many people who have had a run in with the law and gained a conviction early in their life. A criminal record precludes them from any job in the public service - and that includes being a member of the armed services, a police officer - or even a postman ! Once on the record books that conviction is there for life.
Strangely, had the new Director General wanted to become a teacher that conviction would have slammed the door opportunity in his face.
So why did the Iemma government pick him for this well paid job ? There is no clear answer - except the strange fact that he is the husband of prominent Federal Labor front bencher Tanya Plibersek. Obviously there will be claims of " jobs for the boys " and some will conclude that the salary of a Federal member of parliament is not enough to fund the lifestyle of this family - but for others who have a minor criminal record and are refused a job of their choice because of it - it will be a case of " do as we say - not as we do ! "
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