Luke Grant:The Minister said he’s open to the idea yesterday, let’s see how open. Here he is on the line. Senator, thank you for your time. Simon Birmingham: Good morning Luke and good morning to your listeners. Luke Grant: So let’s go quickly first to this Safe Schools program. A lot’s been made about how the disaffected…
Richard Glover: Well, the much discussed report into the Safe Schools program is in. The one the Government commissioned, Mr Turnbull commissioned, from the Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Western Australia, Professor Bill Louden. It’s been published now. And it does defend the program, very stoutly. It says it’s a great program,…
Jeremy Cordeaux: Now this story’s kind of occupied a fair amount of time and controversy and discussion and debate. That’s this Safe Schools initiative, which costs money, millions of dollars, so controversial I think the Coalition decided that they would bring in Professor Bill Louden, Emeritus Professor of Education, University of Western Australia to review it.…
Laura Jayes: Joining me now is the Education Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham. Thanks so much for your time. I understand it’s been a long night for you in the senate as well. Simon Birmingham: [Laughs] It is still Thursday isn’t it? Laura Jayes: Yes. No, no. Friday. Sorry. It’s been a long week for us as well. Look,…
Ben Davis: Look, there has been plenty of talk today too, and not just today but over the last few weeks about the Safe Schools programme. You know my views on it. I think it- and especially on a day when we’re talking about anti-bullying and anti-violence; it’s what our kids have been hearing about…
Rafael Epstein: There are some central units in the Safe Schools program, the ones that have gone use terms like this: defining sexual diversity on a continuum, and recognising that same sex attracted people do not fit into stereotypes. Essentially the lesson on hetero-normative behaviour is gone as well. Senator Simon Birmingham has been this…
David Speers: As we saw on Friday after the COAG Leaders’ Meeting, the Prime Minister withdrew his policy proposal to allow the states to raise their own income taxes. What’s been left unresolved, though, is where the Government now wants to go on education funding in particular. Public schools: does it want to continue playing…
Patricia Karvelas: This afternoon the Federal Government has delivered it’s response to the review of the Safe Schools anti-homophobia program. It seems to have appeased conservative Coalition critics of the program but is being labelled a back down by others. Senator Simon Birmingham is the Federal Education Minister, thanks for your time, and also for staying…
Rafael Epstein: The Prime Minister wants to give the states more responsibility for raising the money that they spend. It would mean a state-based income tax. It could mean the Federal Government no longer funds public schools in Victoria. That’s something the Prime Minister’s speaking about. Would you be happy with the Federal Government handing…
Ben Fordham: On the line is the Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham. Good afternoon to you, Mr Birmingham. Simon Birmingham: G’day Ben, good to be with you. Ben Fordham: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. You’ve made some sweeping changes to the Safe Schools programme today. So you’re removing these roleplaying activities. You are…