Teacher Education in Australia: What difference does a new government make?

The election of a Coalition government in Australia during 1996 raised the prospect of a fundamental change in direction for teacher education. This article examines what progress the Coalition has made after nearly a year in office, its approach to innovations generated under the previous Labor regime, and issues that remain on the agenda. The paper concludes by considering what opportunities exist for teacher educators to participate in the reform process and the possible consequences of leaving it to the new government.