Labor promises $77m for schools to teach students about respect and relationships

There has been a big election promise after sexual consent activist Chanel Contos campaigned for a major change in schools.

Labor has promised $77m for schools to teach students about respect and relationships.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese will make the election commitment on Tuesday that builds on curriculum changes introduced to make consent education mandatory in all Australian schools from 2023.

This was agreed to by education ministers across the country after former Sydney private school student Chanel Contos launched a petition which was signed by 44,000 people.

Labor’s plan would involve training teachers on how to best talk to students in an age appropriate way about respect and relationships.

It would also ensure students and families who’ve experienced violence get the help they need.

Principals would also be able to hire expert support and develop respect and relationship programs based on evidence that is tailored to their school.

Mr Albanese claimed Scott Morrison had “dropped the ball” in this area.

“Delivery of high-quality respectful relationships education programs is patchy and inconsistent across the country,” he said.

Chanel Contos campaigned for changes to consent education in schools.

“For example, there’s nowhere near enough support to train teachers properly in this kind of education, and some schools don’t have access to programs developed by experts.

“Too many school students are missing out on education that can help keep them safe.”

Mr Albanese said if he won the election he would partner with state and territory governments, and school systems, to deliver improvements to respect and relationships education.

“When students are younger, teaching respect covers things such as how to have healthy, happy relationships with friends and family – learning kindness, and how to share and take turns,” he said.

“As students get older, teaching respect covers issues such as consent, and additional education to help stop sexual harassment, sexual assault, and family and domestic violence.

“Age-appropriate respectful relationships education can also help promote equality between women and men and improve classroom behaviour.”

The move comes after the shocking scale of sex assaults and harassment taking place in schools was revealed in February last year by Ms Contos.

Anthony Albanese has committed $77m. Picture: Emma Brasier

She posted an Instagram asking her followers if they or someone close to them had been sexually assaulted when they were at school.

Within 24 hours more than 200 people had replied yes.

Ms Contos then launched her petition calling for more holistic and earlier consent education.

A year later, education ministers across the nation “unanimously” agreed to make it mandatory.

Mr Albanese will also use this election promise as an opportunity to take a swipe at the government over its widely panned milkshake consent video, which was eventually pulled to due to backlash.