Coalition pitches “Western values” curriculum overhaul
Shadow education plan would drop cross-curriculum Indigenous and Asia priorities
The federal Coalition outlined education reforms emphasising Western civics and culture, Australian flags in schools, and removal of cross-curriculum priorities on Indigenous histories, Asia engagement and sustainability.
Shadow Education Minister Julian Leeser unveiled what the Coalition called root-and-branch education reform, arguing schools should spend more time on Western literature, philosophy and civics and less on embedded cross-curriculum themes. The package would remove priorities covering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia, and sustainability, while pushing national pride measures such as flying the Australian flag at every school. Other pledges include shorter teacher accreditation pathways and clearer student behaviour expectations amid reports of rising abuse toward teachers.