Media and Public Commentary

Parliamentary Submission

The researchers were invited to present findings from this project to the New South Wales Legislative Council, as expert witness testimony opposing proposed amendments to the Education Act 1990. Their original submission and response to questions on notice are provided here.

Ferfolja, T., & Ullman, J. (2022, Jan.). Letter in Response to (Mis)Representation of Research in Committee’s Report. Prepared for New South Wales Parliament Legislative Council. Sydney: New South Wales Parliament.

Ullman, J., & Ferfolja, T. (2021, May). Response to Questions on Notice Tabled at Parliamentary Hearings for the Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020. Prepared for New South Wales Parliament Legislative Council. Sydney: New South Wales Parliament.

Ferfolja, T., & Ullman, J. (2021, Feb.). Submission in response to the Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020 (Submission No. 74). Prepared for New South Wales Parliament Legislative Council. Sydney: New South Wales Parliament.

Macquarie Media (April 21, 2021) (Radio 2GB, 2UE and affiliated regional stations) reported on A/P Tania Ferfolja and A/P Jacqueline Ullman’s witness testimony at the NSW Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education entitled 'Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020'. Summary of the news grab below:

A bill being introduced by One Nation's Mark Latham would give parents the right to exclude their children from lessons about gender fluidity. However, University of Western Sydney Associate Professor Tania Ferfolja says research indicates parents want their children to be informed. “86 per cent of New South Wales parents would like to see their children understand gender diversity across the primary and secondary schooling. In New South Wales, parents support inclusive curriculum because of their sense that schools should treat students equally.”

Media

Media disseminations either about our research or using our research.

Goldstein, Tara and Friesen, Doug (Producers). (2022, May 19).  ​What Australian Parents Want. [Audio podcast].

podcast 

Ferfolja, T. and Ullman, J. (2022, Feb. 15). 4 out of 5 parents support teaching gender and sexuality diversity in Australian schools. The Conversation.

This article has also been published in the following publications:

The Times
Yahoo! News
MENAFN
School News Australia
Education HQ
Daily Bulletin
Child
Mirage News
The National Tribune
ForeignAffairs.co.nz

4 out of 5 parents support teaching gender and sexuality diversity in Australian schools

The Educator. (2022, Mar. 23). Most parents want gender and sexual diversity education in schools – study. The Educator Australia.

most parents 

Hirst, J. (2022, Mar. 18). Big majority of Australian parents support LGBTIQ+ education in schools. Q News.

Big majority of Australian parents support LGBTIQ 

Rachwani, M. (2022, Mar. 17). Survey suggests four in five Australian parents support gender and sexuality diversity education. The Guardian.

Rachwani, M. (2022, Mar. 17). Survey suggests four in five Australian parents support gender and sexuality diversity education. The Guardian (republished on MSN).

survey suggests 

Equality Australia (2022, Mar. 16). Equality & Health Groups welcome NSW Government’s Rejection of one Nation Anti-LGBTIQ+ Bill. Equality Australia. [Press Release].

parents. teachers 

Sophie Minissale (Presenter). (2022, Mar. 1). Radio interview RTRFM (Perth). The Agenda

Radio interview RTRFM  

Jenkins, O. (2022, Feb. 19). Schools opt for gender neutral toilets, language. The Herald Sun.

* URL not provided as it is a subscription only Herald Sun article

Schools opt for gender neutral toilets, language

Jackson, E., David, J., Norberg, M., & Sheanoda, V. (2021, Sept. 14). NSW inquiry rejects expert advice on Parental Rights Bill, and it will cause students to suffer. The Conversation.

The Conversation

*Article uses data from the ARC to support the need for trans/gender diverse inclusion in schools.

Goldstein, Tara and Audarson Gudmundson, Helgi  (Producers).  (2019, February 1).  ​What Parents Want. [Audio podcast].

Gender.Sexuality.School

Western Sydney University. (2020). “Gender and Sexuality in the Classroom” [Feature Story] Future Makers. Sydney: Author.

Future Makers
     

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