FOI Documents Highlight Policy Concerns
Scrutiny intensifies on the Allan government after Freedom of Information documents reveal Victorian school staff must not inform parents when a child changes their gender identity at school.
Documents show the Victorian Department of Education instructs staff to keep details of a child’s gender transition confidential unless the child consents to parental notification. This includes changes in name, pronouns, and social presentation.
In Parliament, Education Minister Ben Carroll admitted there is no formal process for declaring a student a mature minor. the Department does not collect data on how often these declarations occur.
Jane Foreman of Family First criticised the policy, stating, “This is not progressive education. This is a government hiding things from parents about their own children. It is a scandal.”
Political Reactions and Policy Proposals
As a response, Family First has proposed removing all gender ideology from government school curricula and mandating parental notification for any social transition at school. Their aim is to refocus Victoria’s curriculum on literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking.
The 2025-26 state budget, under the Allan government, allocates $11.2 million for LGBTQIA+ programmes. Critics argue this prioritises ideology over parental rights.
“Parents do not surrender their rights at the school gate,” Foreman stated. “They are not the enemy of their children’s wellbeing—they are the most important adults in their children’s lives. The Allan government has forgotten that. Family First never will.”
Foreman also emphasised Family First’s commitment to pushing for a curriculum that prioritises measurable outcomes, ensuring every child has a genuine future.
Upcoming elections are expected to highlight the debate over parental rights and school policies. Family First positions itself as a defender of traditional parental involvement in education.
Concerns grow among parents and policymakers due to the lack of a formal process for declaring students as mature minors and the absence of data collection on the frequency of such declarations.
