Australia Allocates $77 Million for ‘Consent Education’ in Schools Across the Country
The government announced a new funding program to encourage ‘healthy interaction’ between boys and girls.
The federal Labor government has introduced additional support for consent education in schools nationwide to address gender-based violence.
The new funding program is expected to enhance “healthy interactions” between boys and girls, foster partnerships between schools and expert organizations, promote engagement with families, and provide professional development opportunities for teachers.
Specific funding amounts will be allocated to each jurisdiction by the federal government, with decisions on how to invest the funding to be made by states, territories, and the non-government school sector.
The funding allocation includes $25.4 million for Sydney over five years, $18.3 million for Melbourne, $14.3 million for Queensland, and $8.9 million for Western Australia.
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Moreover, South Australia will receive $5.7 million, Tasmania $2 million, the Northern Territory $1.5 million, and the Australian Capital Territory $1 million in funding.
The National Respectful Relationships Education Expert Working Group will lead the implementation of consent education initiatives in schools.
This funding initiative forms a part of Labor’s national strategy to end violence against women and children.
Education Minister Jason Clare emphasized the urgency of addressing gender-based violence in Australia.
The minister also stressed the importance of educating young individuals on consent and respectful relationships.
“A variety of approaches are necessary, and educating young people in the classroom is essential to ensure they develop healthy relationships,” he explained.
“This investment is crucial in assisting our youngest Australians, particularly young boys and men, in fostering healthy, respectful relationships.”
Thus far, the government has allocated $3.4 billion towards enhancing women’s safety in the last three federal budgets.
Prior to this new funding for schools, the government launched a national campaign in May aimed at introducing the concept of consent to both adults and young individuals.
Under the curriculum, students from the first year of primary school to year ten are taught about age-appropriate concepts of consent.
Concerns About Negative Impacts of Consent Education
While the government is advocating for consent education to combat gender-based violence, some religious communities have expressed concerns about its potential negative effects on children’s development.
Wendy Francis, the national director for politics at the Australia Christian Lobby, previously shared with The Epoch Times that the education program could potentially “deprive” children of their innocence.
“Children as young as kindergarten age are being expected to make decisions on their own life that traditionally parents have made or that they are very young to be expected to either consent or not consent to really important decisions.”
Simultaneously, the director raised concerns about the lack of parental consultation by the former Coalition government when introducing the consent curriculum.
“The state doesn’t own our children,” she emphasized. “And they should not be assuming the position to dictate what’s taught from kindergarten age regarding gender and sexuality.”
Ms. Francis added that parents should have the authority to determine how their children are educated on concepts related to consent education.
Nina Nguyen contributed to this article.
