2021-05-12
Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (16:22): I seek leave to make a short statement.
The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.
Senator FARUQI: The last thing we need right now is One Nation's reactionary meddling in important and carefully considered proposed changes to the Australian Curriculum. We've seen this before on curriculum matters with their paranoid transphobic ranting about indoctrination in our schools. Last year it was One Nation's attempt to rewrite the curriculum to teach climate denialism and harmful conservative ideas of gender and sexuality. Now they're worried about the overwhelming whiteness of the curriculum being dialled down just a notch. Australia is a highly multicultural country with a rich history of First Nations custodianship and care. It is entirely appropriate and essential that this is reflected in the Australian Curriculum. We should be teaching all students the truth of invasion, genocide and colonialism.