Robert Simms (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Education and Training (Senator Birmingham) to a question without notice asked by Senator Simms today relating to the funding of school programs.

I asked Minister Birmingham about Senator Bernardi's comments in relation to schools being a place of learning, not indoctrination. I asked him whether the government would be looking at the chaplaincy program in light of this fact because it has received $243 million over the last four years. This can be compared to the $8 million funding for the Safe Schools Coalition—that is, the chaplaincy program receives 30 times the level of funding than the project which Senator Bernardi argues is indoctrinating our children.

The response I received from Senator Birmingham indicated that there is no plan to look at the chaplaincy issue. I merely point this out because it highlights the complete inconsistency in the government's thinking on these issues. The way that the chaplaincy program operates sees federal funds being given primarily to an organisation called the Scripture Union that organises chaplains to go into schools in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. Funding also goes to a range of other religious organisations in different states. I went to the website of the Scripture Union earlier today to learn a little bit about this organisation. It says:

Scripture Union (SU) is a Christian organisation which works with churches throughout Australia and the world to make God's Good News known to children, young people … to encourage them to become followers of God through regular Bible reading and prayer and also to link up with their local church.

This is a message that is going into our schools. Well, if that is not indoctrination, I do not know what is. It is promoting a particular religious message to schoolchildren and doing so with a huge amount of government funds.

I want to make it very clear that the Australian Greens have been arguing for many years that we should have more support for young people within schools but that this should come in the form of secular counselling, not chaplains that are aligned with any particular religious organisation. So why is it, when we are talking about providing information to students about issues of sexual difference or gender identity, that that is somehow indoctrinating people? Why is it that that is seen as being indoctrination? We know why that is, and Senator McEwen touched on it in her contribution: it is because of the brazen homophobia we see by those on the opposite side. They have this ridiculous idea that, if you talk about differences in sexuality, you are somehow going to convert people. What an absolutely absurd proposition that is, a crazy proposition, but that is the kind of view held by those opposite.

As a student of Australian politics before I entered this place, I did think that the Abbott government looked a lot like Jurassic Park. But, when Malcolm Turnbull moved into the Lodge, I thought that was the end—

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I raise a point of order. Could you ask the speaker to please refer to those in the other place by their correct title?

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

Thank you, Senator Williams. I will remind all senators that they need to refer to people in this chamber and the other chamber by their correct titles or names. Senator Simms, you have the call.

Robert Simms (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When Prime Minister Turnbull became Prime Minister, I had hoped that that was the end of 'Jurassic Park', but, no, there is a sequel: 'Jurassic World' is here. Malcolm Turnbull is in the Lodge but 'Jurassic World' is here. Dinosaurs walk among us. He is one now.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President—

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

Thank you, Senator Williams. Senator Simms, I did remind all senators to refer to people in the other place, particularly the Prime Minister, by their title. Senator Simms, you have the call.

Robert Simms (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I apologise: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has found himself in a sequel, 'Jurassic World'. If only Chris Pratt were part of it as well—but alas not—and then it might be doing better at box office than the government is currently doing. This sequel seems to be a bit of a flop, because we are seeing the same tired old policies being reignited. And we are seeing that now with his crusade against the Safe Schools Coalition.

We know that the Liberals want to push their particular ideology, their particular world view, within our schools. There are people in the party that hate the idea of talking about diversity and hate the idea of actually recognising the reality of the world in which we live. Well, this is 21st-century Australia, and LGBTI young people and children have a right to feel safe and respected at school. It is appalling to see Prime Minister Turnbull caving in to the kind of bigotry and nonsense that we have seen on the conservative side of politics this week. He needs to show some spine; he needs to show some backbone. The Australian people want better from their Prime Minister.

Question agreed to.