News - Multiculturalism, RE, Childcare 

1. Multiculturalism on the agenda

The federal government is conducting an Inquiry into 'Multiculturalism' - submissions are due by 6 April.
Click here for our Campaign page.

2. Religious Education under threat

In NSW the previous government legislated to allow 'Ethics' classes to be run at the same time as 'Scripture' classes. Previously Scripture classes had been run for all children, unless parents opted out of the classes. Already it has been reported that children are all being taken to the 'Ethics' class and asked to leave if they want to attend the 'Scripture' class.

In Victoria, several groups are campaigning against the 'Religious Education classes - one parent has lodged a complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission claiming that the classes 'discriminate'.
Read this media report in today's Age newspaper - Let us get God out of the classroom

3. Vague Childcare Guidelines

Childcare groups have expressed concern about proposed new federal guidelines for childcare. The guidelines prohibit corporal punishment but also ban "any discipline that is unreasonable in the circumstances".
The problem is that the word 'unreasonable' is not defined. Some childcare groups have said this could include use of a 'time out' process.
In addition the Guidelines say that children cannot be "required to undertake activities that are inappropriate, having regard to each family's family and cultural values, age and physical and intellectual development". Again the notion of cultural values is not defined - and childcare workers say this could include decorating a Christmas tree or Easter eggs.
Read report - Ban on naughty corner, Easter egg hunts