Daniel Andrews introduces a LAW for schools to teach students about white colonisation
Schools will teach kids about the ‘significant trauma’ of white colonisation, commemorate ‘Sorry Day’ and fly the Aboriginal flag under new laws in Victoria.
Premier Dan Andrews said he expected every school to adopt the reconciliation initiatives and that every year level would take part.
‘Being reconciled is just that. You can’t be reconciled if you’re not prepared to acknowledge some pretty awful stuff that happened in the past,’ Mr Andrews said on Tuesday.
‘It’s about making sure that everybody feels equal, everybody feels included and everybody feels safe.’
‘I think it might be the whole school and I don’t see anything wrong with that.’
Under new Victorian laws backed by Dan Andrews (pictured) schoolchildren of all year levels would take part in reconciliation activities such as commemorating ‘Sorry Day’
Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy said it was important for kids to learn about history but it must be done carefully not to create division in children.
‘It is important that they do learn lessons of fact from the past, but that is done respectfully,’ he said.
‘When it involves kids, we’ve got to make sure that we’re not pitting one against the other.’
The new legal standards require that from next term all educational facilities including universities and high schools but also primary schools, kindergartens and childcare centres provide a ‘culturally inclusive’ environment.
This includes a recognition that will affect teaching frameworks that ‘Australia’s colonial history has caused significant trauma and hurt that individuals, families and communities still feel’.
Days marking significant reconciliation steps will also be commemorated including Close the Gap Day on March 18, Mabo Day on June 3, and Sorry Day on May 26.
Mr Andrews said he expected all schools and all year levels to take part in reconciliation activities (file image)
National Close the Gap day, held annually since 2009, is part of a social justice campaign advocating for equality and the health of First Nations people.
Mabo Day marks the concept of ‘terra nullius’ or land belonging to noone being overturned in a legal case which gave Indigenous Australians land rights.
While Sorry Day notes the apology issued by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the ‘stolen generations’ who were removed from their families and communities and raised in colonial settings.
In addition to the national days, schools will be encouraged to display plaques noting traditional ownership and take steps to respect Indigenous culture and stamp out racism.
The standards will also apply to government departments, hospitals, councils and also to businesses where children attend such as play gyms and party venues.
The new laws are part of revised Child Safe Standards overseen by the Victorian Commission for Children and Young People.
Principal commissioner Liana Buchanan said compliance would be achieved by working with and supporting educational facilities as well as sanctions for those lagging behind.
First Nations flags already become a prominent fixture at newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s press conferences (pictured: staffers set up the flag backdrop)
New laws to create an independent authority to oversee Victoria’s treaty negotiations are also set to pass with bipartisan support.
The Victorian coalition initially reserved backing the Treaty Authority Bill after the Andrews government introduced it in state parliament a fortnight ago.
But Opposition Leader Matthew Guy confirmed the Liberals and Nationals would vote for the bill without amendment after a joint partyroom meeting on Tuesday morning.
‘We’ll be supporting the legislation when it comes to parliament tomorrow,’ he told reporters.
‘Reconciliation is a topic that should be around uniting Australians … that’s why this is an important step.’
The Victorian coalition announced its support for treaty negotiations in May after Mr Guy suggested a federal process would ‘make more sense’ before the 2018 state election.
The new legal standards in Victoria are aimed at creating a respectful environment for reconciliation but some have warned division should not be ‘taught’ to children
Liberal MP Tim Smith, who will not recontest his seat in November after a drink-driving crash, said he does not support ‘illiberal and divisive tokenism’ and will vote against the legislation.
‘I will be crossing the floor,’ he tweeted.
Shadow Aboriginal affairs minister Peter Walsh would not say if Mr Smith or others spoke out against the bill in the partyroom.
‘Tim, as an individual, is entitled to his opinions,’ he said.
If the legislation passes, as expected, the treaty authority will have legal powers to oversee treaty talks and resolve any disputes between the state government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
It will be led by Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people elected by an independent panel and be grounded in culture, lore and law.