Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. I would say, in answer to his question, firstly that the Australian curriculum will actually help students learn about the Anzac tradition, including Gallipoli, Anzac Day and other important events and symbols in Australian history.

The matter that he refers to is actually the draft of the years 11 and 12 history curriculum and, as the shadow minister ought to know, there are already in place curriculum drafts, including those that deal with these matters for years 1 to 10. In fact, coming into the House I had a look at them and saw that the K-10 curriculum proposes that students consider the historical significance of an Australian war memorial, in year 2; Anzac Day, in year 3; and involvement in Gallipoli and the Anzac legend, in year 9.

The fact is that this is a draft curriculum that will go out for significant comment and consultation. It will come back to the ministers who consider these matters as a referral from the independent authority, ACARA—as you know—which is charged with doing this job. I would say to the shadow minister—

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