In 2020, the Hon Mark Latham MLC, put forward a Private Member’s Bill to the NSW Parliament designed to protect the role of parents as their children’s first educators in relation to core values such as ethical and moral standards, social and political values and an understanding of personal identity, including gender and sexuality. The Bill also includes a prohibition on the teaching of the ideology of gender fluidity to children in schools. Recognising the importance of parental primacy, the Bill also would see schools required to consult with parents at the beginning of each year about courses of study that will include teaching on core values. The Bill is accessible here and its Explanatory note is accessible here.

When the Bill was first presented to the Legislative Council (Upper House) of the NSW Parliament, Mr Latham identified a number of examples in which inappropriate teaching and learning activities had taken place in NSW classrooms.  He also identified several instances where unsuitable content was included in teacher professional development courses. There has since been a review of teacher professional development in NSW by NESA, which has resulted in some significant changes. The second reading speech is accessible here.

In February of this year, CCSP was invited to make a submission to the Parliamentary Committee undertaking an inquiry into the Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020. Comments were sought from members of the CCSP Council and a draft prepared, which was then circulated to Council members before being finalised. CCSP’s written submission to the inquiry is accessible here.

Following this submission, CCSP Executive Director, Peter Grace, was invited to appear as a witness before the Public Hearing of the Committee on 21 April 2021. Peter addressed the Committee on behalf of the parents and carers of the children and young people in NSW Catholic schools by explaining the paramount importance of the role parents play in the education and formation of their children. He said that this is not only most evident in the teachings of the Catholic Church, it is also reflected in international law. He said that the rights of parents must not be undermined or usurped by schools or teachings seeking to push an ideology of gender fluidity.

In answering the politicians’ questions, he advised that CCSP’s reading of the Bill is that it is a narrow prohibition on the teaching of the ideology of gender fluidity and that teachers would still be able to discuss matters of gender and sexuality in a neutral way. He went further to say that the Bill should in no way preclude a school from providing appropriate pastoral care to students who are experiencing gender dysphoria or any other kind of gender- or sexuality-related mental health issues. Such care, in partnership with the student’s family, is consistent with a central tenet of Catholic Social Teaching, the protection and promotion of the dignity of the human person.

At one point, Peter asserted, “It is a privilege to be a parent” and said that it is remarkable that some parents might willingly surrender the responsibilities which parents typically take very seriously. This met with almost universal approval among the members of the Committee. The transcript of Peter’s testimony is accessible here.

Over the course of the two-day Public Hearing, the Committee heard many different voices espousing divergent views. The range of views among the witnesses appeared to reflect the range of views held by the members of the Committee. Appearing in the same session as Peter was Dallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW. Dallas also stood firm on the right of parents to be the primary formative influence in their children’s lives. The Catholic Schools NSW submission is accessible here. Readers might also be interested in other submissions that oppose the teaching of gender fluidity ideology in schools, including the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Diocese of Parramatta.

A question on notice that Peter took from the Public Hearing related to Catholic schools consulting with parents on matters of gender and sexuality. Peter has since been able to provide the Committee with evidence of Catholic schools engaging with parents on such matters indicating that a strong partnership exists between parents, principals and teachers in matters of parental primacy. Peter was also asked some supplementary questions by the Committee with which he was able to re-iterate CCSP’s position that parents are the first educators of their children and that schools, teachers and providers of professional development should not attempt to undermine or usurp them.

The Committee is currently deliberating on the testimonies provided at the Public Hearing and the responses to questions on notice and supplementary questions. CCSP will watch closely its progress and provide updates in future editions of Parent Talk.