He foreshadowed more federal intervention in schools,saying he would use national funding agreements with the states to advance the Coalition’s education agenda when they expire in 2023.
“If I have the opportunity to continue in this role for some time yet,I intend to use that opportunity to drive further reform,” he said.
Mr Tudge addressed the Centre for Independent Studies on Tuesday night alongside Indigenous leader Noel Pearson,under whom he worked as the deputy director of Pearson’s Cape York Institute for three years between 2006 and 2009.
He outlined his priorities for education,which included addressing standards in university teacher training,embedding “effective teaching practices” in the curriculum,and ensuring a balanced approach to history and civics.
Mr Pearson said he had not reviewed draft changes to the national curriculum which increase the focus on Indigenous culture and heritage,particularly in the history curriculum in which First Nations history replaces some global and general content.
He would look at the draft and give the government feedback,but said the key was ensuring everything in the curriculum was taught well.