The Australian government has confirmed that the requirement for school students to learn about sexual consent will remain intact despite plans for a review of the national curriculum aimed at reducing what some have termed 'indoctrination' in education.

Peter Dutton, the leader of the opposition, has expressed a desire to 'restore a curriculum that cultivates critical thinking, responsible citizenship, and common sense', which has led to concerns among education advocates regarding potential changes to teaching on sensitive topics such as consent.

Under the Morrison government in 2022, bipartisan support was established for consent education, with all major governmental parties affirming its importance.

Anne Ruston, a Liberal frontbencher, stated, 'We remain committed to national consent education and the broader approach to addressing gendered violence.' She emphasized that the Coalition is 'proud to have introduced consent education into the national curriculum.'

Chanel Contos, an advocate for consent education, expressed relief that Australia's approach remains distinct from the current polarization seen regarding similar topics in the United States.

She noted, 'It's been quite disturbing to see the topic of violence against women and children become an increasingly polarized issue in America, and I'm very happy to confirm that in Australia that has not been the case.'

The curriculum's consent education component lies within the focus area of Relationships and Sexuality, which aims to teach students essential skills for 'effectively negotiating consent', including discussions on 'the sharing of intimate images'.

Additional topics encompassed within this focus area include sexual and reproductive health, power imbalances in relationships, and fostering respect for diversity.

The national curriculum undergoes a review every six years, with the next examination scheduled to be led by the incoming government post-election.

Sarah Henderson, the Coalition's education spokesperson, remarked on the need for a 'knowledge rich and common sense' curriculum, alleging that the current document imposes challenges for educators.

She stated, 'The curriculum is imposing many additional hours of work, and we don't think that's good enough.'

Surveys conducted among educators routinely highlight concerns regarding the current curriculum's complexity, with calls for more streamlined guidance and lesson planning support.

Trisha Jha from the Centre for Independent Studies noted the need for a 'substantial review' of the curriculum, cautioning that any reform would necessitate consensus among all states and territories, many of which have developed individual adaptations.

Education Minister Jason Clare emphasized Labor's focus on foundational skills in the curriculum, asserting, 'I'm focused on making sure that our kids learn to read and write and count … not this extreme agenda of Peter Dutton.'

The language surrounding 'indoctrination' has raised anxieties within the education sector, as many fear that programs related to inclusion and diversity may be at risk.

Adrian Murdoch from the LGBTQ+ youth organization Minus 18 indicated the apprehension felt by schools regarding future support and funding, stating, 'That ambiguity is really scary for schools who really do want to support their young people.' He expressed concern over the implications of potential funding cuts linked to certain educational agendas, echoing sentiments reminiscent of legislative trends observed overseas.