The new Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter, speaking to the ABC on 27 January, 2006, says he wants a "moderate" approach to teaching schoolchildren what it is to be Australian.
His comments follow the NSW government’s decision to require schools to play the national anthem at assemblies.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma also announced the creation of Australian values units in public primary schools, to teach students respect and responsibility.
Mr Carpenter said it is simplistic to think that if children are forced to sing the anthem, they will all grow up with the same values.
"I grew up in country Western Australia, went to school in country Western Australia in the 1960s," he said.
"Every morning, we sang God Save the Queen and recited the Lord’s prayer and now, you know, 49 years of age, I’m an avowed republican and I’m an atheist."
"But I still, I’m a deeply patriotic Australian."
The beliefs or lack of them of the Premier are hardly reason for children not to be taught to honour and respect the nation and its symbols, and the values of the nation. The Preamble to the Constitution Act declares that the people of the several states, humbly repying on the blessings of Almighty God, had agreed to unite in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth under the Crown and under the Constitution.
It is right and proper that the children of Australia, in lessons and ceremonies, learn to appreciate the foundation of our nation.