Daniel Andrews backs school ‘discussion’ on Yes campaign

Premier Daniel Andrews has played down Victorian Education Department policy promoting the Indigenous voice to parliament as part of the state’s ‘journey to treaty’.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Premier Daniel Andrews has played down Victorian Education Department policy promoting the Indigenous voice to parliament as part of the state’s “journey to treaty”.

Mr Andrews said he did not believe there would be a “campaign” for the yes case in schools but rather a “discussion” about an important national event.

A Victorian education department spokesman said on Wednesday: “Conversations about the proposed Indigenous voice to parliament at school are important for students understanding Victoria’s journey to treaty and the important work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.”

Mr Andrews drew a distinction between teachers promoting the voice, and fostering conversations.

“I don’t know that there’ll be a campaign in schools,” he said.

“I think that there might be some discussion about it.

“We don’t often have a referendum process to change the constitution of a nation, so that’s a pretty topical issue.

“Obviously, the vast majority of students at school will not have a vote, because they will not be 18.”

Mr Andrews said that if the voice campaign was successful, the event would be taught as a compulsory part of Victoria’s history curriculum.

“If there was a voice, then no doubt that curriculum might well refer to that,” he said.

State Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said Victoria, along with every other state and territory, supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and was on the “yes side” of a voice referendum.

“I have no doubt that both sides will be discussed (in schools), but certainly the government is making it clear that we are supportive of a voice to parliament,” she said.