Indy,

teacher lobby groups do try to influence educational direction. For example, a couple years back over in WA a bolshy teacher group calling itself PLATO (an acronym for something to do with outcomes based education) fought strongly against the stupidity of certain reforms. They were marginalized and didn't win. The ensuing fiasco is still playing out over there, with the educrats who drove the changes tactically retreating while receiving promotions and medals. The same people are still in charge of the blood-bank over there ready to hitch a ride on the next big thing, their CVs stuffed with rewrites of educational history, while teachers and universities are still picking up the pieces.

Teachers can do no more than lobby, just as you or any other group can. The educrats are in the thrall of other interest groups (eg ACER), keen to sell them the next new-wave of educational elixir, and have no regard for the opinions of teachers at all. In Finland, teachers rule and the results are to be seen in PISA and TIMMs rankings.