Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) commends the Institute of Public Affairs for its research report, The Rise of Identity Politics: An Audit of History Teaching at Australian Universities in 2017 ;

(b) expresses concern at the reduced teaching in universities about the benefits of Western civilisation, the Enlightenment and the Reformation;

(c) expresses concern at the increased teaching in universities about divisive topics of race, gender, environment and sexuality in the history curriculum; and

(d) calls upon the Australian Government to review the history curriculum to ensure it reflects Australian heritage and values.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government welcomes the Institute of Public Affairs report as an important contribution to the public discussion on the importance of universities as places of learning, free speech and ideas. The government does not set the curriculum for universities and it would be an attack on academic integrity were a government in a liberal democracy to control what is taught at universities. However, standards must be met and are governed by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Bernardi be agreed to.