Governments have fitfully attempted to redress the situation. In 2004,the Howard government announced a $17.5 million program,“Defining Democracy”,for years 4 to 10 students. A continuation of a Labor government initiative,it covered parliaments,the law,the Constitution,Federation,the notion of citizenship and notable Australians. But it withered.

Now the federal parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters latest inquiry has called for mandatory civics lessons for students in years 11 and 12. Students in years 9 and 10 should study civics for a minimum of 10 hours a year and a national civics and citizenship curriculum should be introduced. Under a suite of reforms to the state’s curriculum,NSW has committed to mandatory civics education from 2027,woven into human society and its environment syllabus.

Many young people face misinformation,social media manipulation and declining public interest journalism and leave school without the knowledge and skills necessary to actively participate in Australian democracy,engage with civic practices and institutions,or understand basic processes like how to enrol to vote and cast a ballot correctly.

Sharing a core of such values and ideals and comprehending the nuts and bolts of the major institutions on which our liberty ultimately depends,can only strengthen individual rights as well as help young people negotiate social media’s minefield of misinformation.

NSW should seize this opportunity to lead the nation and accelerate the implementation of mandatory civics education without delay.

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