This follows media coverage that teachers are being urged to abandon the terms “boys” and “girls” in favour of alternatives such as “learners”, “superstars”, and “epic humans”.
A recent NSW Teachers Federation magazine article has suggested that to be more inclusive, teachers could consider saying “hello future leaders” or “change-makers”.
South Australian candidate Deepa Mathew, Victorian candidates Bernie Finn and Jane Foreman, and New South Wales candidate Lyle Shelton said parents are outraged that people they call ‘radical activists’ have “captured education departments and teachers’ unions”.
“Parents know their children are boys or girls. They don’t need the pressure of woke teachers putting confusing ideas into their kids’ minds at school,” Family First said in a statement.
“Schools exist to teach reading, writing and maths – not fringe theories dreamed up by bureaucrats.
“Most mums and dads expect teachers to understand biological reality. To pretend otherwise is indoctrination.”
Policies promoting inclusive language have been issued in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, with education departments directing teachers to avoid terms like “boys” and “girls”.
NSWTF has gone further, publishing guides encouraging teachers to greet their classes using gender-neutral terms.
The article includes subject-specific suggestions, with music students to maybe be referred to as “composers” and maths students as “mathematicians”, “critical thinkers” or “problem solvers”.
PDHPE students might be “achievers” and “athletes”, while English students “readers”, “writers”, “actors”, “playwrights” and “poets”.
The article reflects a broader trend of encouraging gender-neutral language in public sector workplaces, including schools, in various Australian states and territories.
The NSW Teachers Federation has a history of advocating for LGBTIQ+ rights, including supporting gender diversity in primary schools and encouraging teachers to respect transgender students’ chosen pronouns.
Family First pledged that, if elected, it will de-fund taxpayer-funded activist groups like Transcend Australia, which promote what Family First calls “harmful gender fluid ideology” and “support dangerous experimental medical treatments on children”.
“This is not about respect or inclusion. It is about erasing biological reality from the classroom and undermining the role of parents,” the candidates said.
“Family First will restore common sense by removing gender ideology from schools and ensuring teachers get back to the basics.”
Transcend Australia CEO Susanne Prosser told the Adelaide Advertiser the use of the gender neutral terms should not be about politics or ideology.
“We know that when young people are affirmed in their identity, their mental health and wellbeing improve – and that helps them stay engaged at school,” Prosser said.
“Inclusive language isn’t a burden – it’s a simple act of respect that prioritises a student’s dignity and creates safer classrooms.”
At the upcoming elections, Family First is calling on voters to send a clear message to the major parties that have embraced what they call “radical gender politics” and that they should “stop confusing children, respect parents, and keep classrooms free of harmful ideology”.
