Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Australian Minister Defends Respect Education Amid School Curriculum Row
Australia is debating what children should learn about respect and relationships at school.
Education Minister Jason Clare said teaching boys to respect girls is not “woke.”
He said teachers help children build character as well as learn school subjects.
Matt Canavan disagreed with the direction of the curriculum and said it can make boys feel negatively about men.
Angus Taylor said young men should learn to be good human beings, but he did not directly answer whether consent should be taught.
Tanya Plibersek said consent and respectful relationships should not be treated as a political issue.
The debate is happening after sexual assault allegations and worries about harmful online content.
The government is considering stronger rules for social media algorithms.
The disagreement is about how schools, families and technology companies should help young people understand respectful behavior.
Education Minister Jason Clare said teaching boys to respect girls is “common decency,” not “woke.”
The debate follows sexual assault allegations and concerns about harmful online content affecting young people.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan criticised what he called the “feminisation” of the school curriculum.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said young men should be taught to “be good human beings” but did not directly answer about consent education.
The Labor government is considering tougher measures targeting social media algorithms that expose children to harmful material.
- Who
- Australian Education Minister Jason Clare, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and Nationals leader Matt Canavan are central participants.
- What
- The participants are debating whether schools should teach consent, respectful relationships and gender relations, and how to address harmful online content.
- When
- The discussion intensified following recent high-profile sexual assault allegations; Clare spoke to reporters on Thursday.
- Where
- Clare spoke in Queensland, while Plibersek addressed an emergency sexual violence roundtable in Sydney.
- Why
- The debate reflects concerns about sexual violence, young people’s exposure to harmful online material and disagreements over the direction of Australia’s school curriculum.
Supporters of Respect Education
Critics of the Current Curriculum
Teaching consent and respect
Supporters of Respect Education
Jason Clare and Tanya Plibersek said schools should teach consent and respectful relationships, with Clare calling respect for girls common decency.
Critics of the Current Curriculum
Angus Taylor avoided directly answering whether consent should be taught, while saying young men should learn to be good human beings.
Effect of school messages on boys
Supporters of Respect Education
Supporters argue teachers have an important role in developing children’s character and preparing them to form respectful relationships.
Critics of the Current Curriculum
Matt Canavan said boys can become frustrated by messages they see as negative toward men and may turn to online spaces containing toxic content.
Responsibility for harmful online content
Supporters of Respect Education
Clare criticised technology companies for exposing children to harmful material, and the government is considering tougher action against social media algorithms.
Critics of the Current Curriculum
The political debate includes disagreement over whether schools’ messages contribute to young people turning toward harmful online platforms; Plibersek rejected the suggestion that teachers are responsible.
- Main issue
- Teaching respect, consent and relationships in Australian schools
- Education Minister
- Jason Clare defended respect education as “common decency”
- Curriculum criticism
- Matt Canavan described the curriculum as involving the “feminisation” of schools
- Opposition response
- Angus Taylor said young men should be taught to “be good human beings”
- Social media concern
- Political leaders raised concerns about harmful online content and algorithms
- Government consideration
- The Labor government is considering tougher measures targeting social media algorithms
- Related event
- Tanya Plibersek spoke at an emergency sexual violence roundtable in Sydney