The announcement that consent education will be mandatory from 2023 for all Australian school children from kindergarten to year 10 has concerned parents demanding to be consulted ahead of the State Education Ministers discussion in April when it is proposed for the new curriculum to be finalised.
Commenting on the decision for mandatory new consent education, National Director of Politics for the Australian Christian Lobby, Wendy Francis, said,
“The State does not own our children and should not assume a position whereby they can dictate what is taught, from kindergarten age, regarding gender and sexuality. It is a parent’s duty to protect their children’s rights until they are old enough to make their own way in the world. Of course, parents and guardians desire their children to be safe and for their innocence to be protected. For this reason, they must have input on what ‘consent education’ will be taught to their small children.”
The Australian Christian Lobby has contacted all State and Territory Education Ministers, calling on them to include parents and guardians in the discussion. A move such as this should not be rushed. It deserves parental focus groups and workshopping to give parents the opportunity to review the material in order to properly support, and oversee their children’s learning experience. This is a parent’s right and responsibility.
ENDS
