Tasmanian parents concerned over Safe Schools content

CHANGES made to the Safe Schools program have seen a wide range of reactions from community groups across Australia. 

A review of the program suggested changes be made to content, this included restricting access to secondary students, reducing the content and requiring parental permission to take part.

One Tasmanian parent, who did not wish to be named, said she had started to question whether she could trust her daughter’s school to keep parents informed on what was being presented to her child. 

She said that when a Tasmanian Safe Schools partner visited her daughter’s school to speak with students late last year, parents were not informed before the event.

“There was no opportunity given to the parents to withdraw their students from this presentation, and there was no information sent home to inform parents of what had been discussed,” the mother said.

“My daughter has several same sex attracted friends, so this part of the presentation was nothing new. 

“However, she came home very confused by the idea of gender not being determined by genitals. Why are we confusing our teenagers?” 

Australian Christian Lobby state director Mark Brown said that even after a recent review of the program, he still had concerns about what remains and what is being taught in schools.

“We are keen to understand what the changes will mean practically for Tasmanian schools,” Mr Brown said. 

“The program corrals students into potentially damaging sexuality or gender identities when research clearly shows they will generally align with their birth gender or heterosexuality after puberty.

“Ironically, the anti-bullying programme has led to the bullying of those students who, for various reasons, don’t accept its ideology.” 

Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic said that following the review of the Safe Schools material, he was pleased to see several shortcomings had been addressed. 

“Every student has a right to feel safe at school. Tolerance should be taught in our schools and homophobia should be no more accepted than racism,” Mr Nikolic said.

“Students dealing with personal issues, including questions of sexual identity, have to be supported and deserve access to the best information, advice and support.

“I provided feedback to the Prime Minister and Education Minister from concerned parents and teachers in my electorate relating to inappropriate materials and parental consent.”