Submission into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters adopted an inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia on 27 March 2024, following a referral from the Special Minister of State, Senator the Hon Don Farrell.

The inquiry had regard to:

• the effectiveness of formalised civics education throughout Australia and the various approaches taken across jurisdictions through schools and other institutions including electoral commissions, councils, and parliaments; the extent to which all students have equitable access to civics education; and opportunities for improvement;
• the vast array of informal mechanisms through which Australians seek and receive information about Australia’s democracy, electoral events, and voting; and how governments and the community might leverage these mechanisms to improve the quality of information and help Australians be better informed about, and better participate in, the electoral system;
• the mechanisms available to assist voters in understanding the legitimacy of information about electoral matters; the impact of artificial intelligence, foreign interference, social media and mis- and disinformation; and how governments and the community can prevent or limit inaccurate or false information influencing electoral outcomes;
• opportunities for supporting culturally diverse, geographically diverse, and remote communities to access relevant, appropriate, and culturally suitable information about Australian democracy, electoral events, enrolment and voting to promote full electoral participation;
• social, socio-economic, or other barriers that may be preventing electoral participation; and ways governments might address or circumvent these barriers; and
• potential improvements to the operations and structures that deliver electoral events to support full electoral participation.

ACYP made a written submission in 28 May 2024.

• ACYP submission
• Parliament of Australia inquiry page