Government rocked by school play!

Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews said last night it was one thing for Calwell (Canberra high school) to educate students about current issues, "but it's another thing entirely for teachers to politically hijack a rock eisteddfod, which is designed to promote positive lifestyle messages for our youth".

"This is totally inappropriate, regardless of which side of politics is being targeted," he said, adding, in his paternalistic way, it was "difficult to believe" students came up with the idea themselves.

The high school has vigorously defended its portrayal of the Howard Government's industrial relations laws, which swept its students to victory in the national capital's rock eisteddfod grand final.

But Calwell High's dance teacher and eisteddfod co-ordinator, Cheryl Diggins, insisted the Work Choices pastiche was both student-driven and appropriate.

"We have a history of tackling contemporary themes," Ms Diggins said. Realising the anti-government theme might upset some parents at Calwell, Ms Diggins sent performers home with an explanatory note for parents. "You have to respect other viewpoints, but I didn't get one withdrawal or complaint," she said.

Ms Diggins said previous themes for Calwell eisteddfods included the stolen generation, the detention of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the power of corporations. The Nine Network is expected to air the pastiche later this year.

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"We're thrilled to have had our work recognised," says Cheryl Diggin from Calwell High. "We based our piece on a series of political cartoons published in Australian newspapers over the last 18 months.

"We were also influenced by The ABCs, The Chasers War on Everything, Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times and Fritz Lang's Metropolis.

"During the process the students gained a greater understanding of the issues involved and the impact it will have on them now, as casual workers, and later when they leave school and move into fulltime work.

"Some of them have already been forced to agree to a flat rate after having penalty rates abolished by their employers.

"They understand that employers have been given all the power with few safeguards for the workers."

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