Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Payne, regarding comments made by Dr Kevin Donnelly, co-chair of the government's national curriculum review. Dr Donnelly told 2UE yesterday afternoon that corporal punishment had been very effective when he was at school and he had no problem with it, if supported by the school community. My question is simple: does the federal government agree that corporal punishment is a very effective method of discipline for school children? Does the federal government think there is ever a place for violence as a form of discipline in Australian schools?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Wright for her question. The Australian government does not support corporal punishment as an approach to student behaviour management in schools.

Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Given that answer, which is unequivocal, and I am pleased to hear it, will the Abbott government now acknowledge that education minister Christopher Pyne made a serious error of judgement in appointing Dr Donnelly to the Curriculum Review Panel and terminate his employment?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I absolutely do not accept the premise in Senator Wright's question in relation to the matter that she has raised about Dr Donnelly. I have made the government's position on corporal punishment very clear. I can also add that the issue of corporal punishment is not and would not be part of the terms of reference for any Commonwealth inquiry. The government is absolutely resolute in indicating that all students should have access to high-quality education that is delivered in a safe, supportive and respectful environment. All ministers for education have endorsed the National Safe Schools Framework, which advocates positive, whole-of-school approaches to student wellbeing and behaviour management.

Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. In spite of the minister's answer, the fact is that the federal government has given Dr Donnelly a very powerful platform and a degree of legitimacy to advance his many unorthodox views and to shape the Australian Curriculum. If there is clearly no place for assault in Australian schools, why will Minister Pyne not sack Dr Donnelly?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think it is fair to say that a perspective on unorthodox views is possibly in the eye of the beholder and I would say that to Senator Wright as a member of the Australian Greens. I simply wish to reinforce my initial response to Senator Wright, which was that the Australian government does not support corporal punishment as an approach to student behaviour management in schools—full stop.