TRANSCRIPT – 2GB BEN FORDHAM LIVE

Angie Bell MP
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education
Shadow Minister for Youth
Federal Member for Moncrieff

TRANSCRIPT
2GB – BEN FORDHAM LIVE

23 January 2024

Subjects: Invasion Day being taught in early childhood education centres

E&OE…………………………

BEN FORDHAM:
Some child care centres have been accused of politicising classrooms, kids as young as five being made to feel ashamed about Australia. We mentioned yesterday SDN Children’s Services in the ACT now recites an acknowledgement of country on a daily basis, and they teach students that Australia is built on stolen land. Now keep in mind we’re talking about kids at preschool.

A major provider of childcare resources has also taken a stance, The Aussie Child Care Network provides centres with a calendar of key dates for the year ahead. And on that calendar, January 26, is labelled as invasion day.

Angie Bell has been in contact with us, she’s the Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education. Angie, good morning to you.

ANGIE BELL MP:
Good morning, Ben. Great to be with you.

BEN FORDHAM:
What do you make of this stuff happening to kids so young?

ANGIE BELL MP:
Well Ben, childcare centres really are a place for education, not indoctrination, as we’ve seen in the story in The Aus yesterday. Teaching our children to be proud of our country and to love all things. Australian is so important, especially around this time of year. We know that our nation’s rich in history and culture and Indigenous Australians and multicultural Australians, they all make up our melting pot that we should be so proud of.

BEN FORDHAM:
We can’t shy away from our history, particularly when it comes to education. So at what age is it appropriate to start talking about these issues?

ANGIE BELL MP:
Well, Indigenous culture really should be celebrated and it is included in the National Quality Standard for early learning. It is part of the curriculum in early learning settings, in kindergartens, in early childhood centres. So it is included, however, the use of the term ‘invasion day’, as you mentioned, is crossing the line and it really has no place in early childhood settings. They’re too young, they’re children.

BEN FORDHAM:
What are mums and dads make of all of this, what kind of feedback are you getting?

ANGIE BELL MP:
Well, like many parents and grandparents, I am myself a grandparent, concerned about these educators who are attempting to impose their political agendas on children as young as five and the Coalition is absolutely determined to combat this political activism. This is an ideological agenda that is being thrust upon our five-year-olds. It’s very concerning and we’re determined to combat it.

BEN FORDHAM:
We appreciate you jumping on the line. Thanks for getting in touch.

ANGIE BELL MP:
My pleasure Ben, thank you.

[ends]