No Minister. Examining recent commentary on the draft Australian history and civics and citizenship curriculum

Recent comments by the Federal Education Minister, Alan Tudge, have reignited the so­ called history and culture war in Australian schools. Tudge has argued that the newest draft version of the Australian Curriculum is critical of Australia's proud history and does not leave students feeling optimistic about their future in Australia. This paper examines the accuracy of Tudge's claims by carefully placing them within the context of thedraft andcurrent version of the Australian Curriculum in relation to History and Civics and Citizenship and also examining them in relation to the history of political involvement in the development of curriculum. By doing so, it demonstrates that Tudge's claims are not founded on an understandingof thecontentandstructureof thecurriculumand betraya limitedunderstanding of boththe teaching of History and Civics and Citizenship, and thedevelopment of curriculum as a whole. The paper concludes with advice for teachers seeking to navigate the troubled waters of curriculum and education at this time.