17 September 2013
The Australian Council for Human Rights Education (ACHRE) congratulates the Prime Minister Tony Abbott and new Abbott Ministry, in particular Education Minister Christopher Pyne, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Attorney General Senator George Brandis QC and looks forward toward successful cooperation with the new government toward the advancement of human rights education both domestically and internationally.
“In the past ACHRE has enjoyed a constructive relationship with the Opposition, and in particular with Mr Pyne – one of the Coalition’s most energetic and experienced ministers -and we look forward to continuing that relationship in Government,” Dr Sev Ozdowski, President of ACHRE, said.
Both Prime Minister Abbott and Minister Pyne has often acknowledged the crucial role that human rights education plays in securing Australia’s social harmony. As Minister Pyne said at the first International Human Rights Education Conference in Sydney in 2010:
“Government should advance a human rights culture – education is vital to the success of this goal. /…/ Every child has a right to know about and understand Australia’s democratic traditions and heritage, its legal and political institutions, and our shared values of, tolerance, respect, responsibility, freedom and inclusion. Civics education is the perfect mechanism for ensuring our young people learn about the different sources of human rights in Australia from the constitution, to legislation, Magna Carta and the common law.”
“ACHRE will welcome the opportunity to work constructively with the Abbott government in making sure that the critical areas of human rights education are not neglected in our schools and universities Australia wide and that education about human rights values would constitute an integral part of the New Colombo Plan.” Dr Ozdowski said.
Dr Ozdowski also congratulated Senator Brett Mason, on his new role as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sussan Ley on her appointment as Assistant Minister for Education, and Senator Scott Ryan on becoming Parliamentary Secretary for Education.
Last but not least the ACHRE wishes to thank the outgoing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and in particular the former Attorney General Robert McClelland for their constructive work with ACHRE and their contribution to human rights education in Australia.
Authorised by Dr Sev Ozdowski Sydney, 17 September 2013