Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Instead of working to make students proud of our nation by leading on justice for First Nations people, by tackling the climate crisis and by ensuring that no Australian is left behind because of rising inequality, some in this place would rather have them recite a US-style pledge. This is a classic tactic of creating a problem where none exists. The bushfire crisis this summer has demonstrated the enduring strength of the Australian spirit in the community. We don't want to cheapen that spirit by forcing students to perform a jingoistic pantomime that fails to acknowledge Australia's settler colonial past and continued occupation. The Greens will not be supporting this motion.