Kerry Bartlett (Macquarie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Would the minister inform the House what the government is doing to ensure Australian history is well taught in our schools? Have state governments been supportive of the need for Australian students to know the history of our country?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Macquarie for his question. I know that as a former economics and history teacher he is very interested in this issue. The teaching of Australian history in our schools has been downgraded. In fact, in a number of schools it is not even an optional extra. I announced recently that I would be hosting a summit to find ways to strengthen the teaching of Australian history in our schools, and that summit will be held in Canberra tomorrow. I have invited leading historians and public figures who are supporting the teaching of Australian history in our schools. I invited education leaders and teachers, including the President of the History Teachers Association of Australia. Eminent historians John Hirst, Inga Clendinnen and Geoffrey Blainey will be in attendance, and Bob Carr, the former Labor Premier from New South Wales, will also be in attendance.

We on this side of the House believe it is time for a renaissance in the teaching of Australian history. Students need to know more about our national story. If they can better understand the past, they will be more informed citizens of the future. The summit will focus on what is currently being taught and how and on what should be taught and why. Yes, I have written to all state and territory education ministers seeking their input. I have not had a response from any except the minister in the ACT. Tomorrow, we will pursue the strengthening of Australian history in our schools. I want to work collaboratively with the state and territory governments and with education authorities to ensure that Australian history is a key component in every school curriculum. I was astonished to read in the Australian newspaper—

Duncan Kerr (Denison, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The gospel according to John!

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Denison will remove himself from the House under standing order 94(a).

The member for Denison then left the chamber.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was saying that what we are seeking to do is strengthen the teaching of Australian history in our schools. I was astonished to read in the Australian newspaper—admittedly, it was the Australian, so the Leader of the Opposition will not have read this national newspaper—an article on 6 July headed ‘Beazley against history revival’. It reads:

KIM Beazley has dismissed the push ... to reinstate the teaching of traditional Australian history in schools as an “elite preoccupation”.

I ask the Leader of the Opposition: what is elite about learning about our diggers at Gallipoli? What is elite about learning of the struggles of our early settlers? What is elite about the establishment of a liberal democracy in this country?

Michael Danby (Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Danby interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Melbourne Ports is warned!

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How could the Leader of the Opposition seek to politicise even the acquisition of knowledge about our nation’s history?

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.