Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1
The Australian Education Legislation Amendment (Prohibiting the Indoctrination of Children) Bill 2020 (the bill) is a private senator's bill introduced by Senator Pauline Hanson on 10 February 2020. The second reading debate took place on 31 August 2020.
1.2
On 10 December 2020, the Senate referred the bill to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee (the committee) for inquiry and report by 5 July 2021.1

Purpose of the bill

1.3
The bill seeks to give parents the legal right to protect their children from indoctrination at school. It would do this by requiring the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority to promote a balanced presentation of opposing views on political, historic and scientific issues. In addition, it would make federal education funding to a state or territory conditional on having laws to ensure a balanced presentation of views and requiring schools to consult parents and guardians on the extent to which staff are fulfilling these requirements.
1.4
Senator Hanson noted:
The purpose of this legislation is to give parents the legal right to protect their children from indoctrination at school. Educators argue there is no need for legislation to protect children from indoctrination because schoolchildren can use their critical thinking skills. That is a cop-out, because students are no match for an adult using their positional power to instruct. Parents have the responsibility to decide how their children will be educated, provided it is in the best interests of the children. Parents want their children educated, not indoctrinated.2

Conduct of the inquiry

1.5
Details of the inquiry were made available on the committee's website.3 Submissions were received from 16 organisations and individuals, as listed at Appendix 1. Submissions are available on the committee's website.
1.6
No public hearings were held for this inquiry.

Structure of the report

1.7
Chapter 2 outlines the context for the proposed amendments and the key provisions contained in the bill.
1.8
Chapter 3 outlines key issues as raised by submitters and presents a committee view on the bill.

Acknowledgements

1.9
The committee thanks those individuals and organisations who contributed to the inquiry by preparing written submissions.

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