Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, , 5:48:47 to 5:53:22
Concerns are raised about an episode of 'Stuff the British Stole' involving students redesigning the Australian flag and whether the ABC provided a sufficient balance of perspectives.
Topics: Integrity, Education
Speakers: Speaker 31, Gavin Fang, Hugh Marks, Senator Varun Ghosh
Um just a change of topic. In the June 2026 stuff the British style episode flag for students at Perth Modern School were asked to redesign the Australian flag. Every feature design removed the union jack and emphasised multicultural, inclusive or indigenous elements. Students stated the current flag does not feel distinctly Australian or representative of modern Australia, with nothing to the contrary. What editorial process determined which student views and designs were included or excluded?
Um Senator, that's an independently produced programme, so that would have been uh something done. I think that program is made by a business based in Canberra, I think. Um it would have been subject to editorial review within the organisation. The editorial review would have been does it comply with our editorial policies? Um again, an area that Mr. Fang heads up. Um I would say in response, it's a relevant perspective. Um, you know, were a broad section of uh of students involved in that program. I can't answer that question, unfortunately, Senator. Um, as it would be an independently produced shows. I don't know if there's anything that's come across your desk, Mr. Fang on that one.
No. Um Unfortunately, I haven't seen that episode of stuff the British style.
Because you under your editorial policy, like you just said, um it requires presentation of a diversity of perspectives, so that no significant strand of thought within the community is knowingly excluded. Um, given the Institute of Public Affairs poll from May 25 found that 72% of 18 to 24-year-olds wanted to retain the current flag. It appears the program has actually pushed a false consensus that is apart from the reality of how young people and young Australians feel about the flag. Are you concerned that your programming is influencing young people to reject our national symbols by creating a false consensus?
I would be I would be concerned about anything that pushed um a false position. I think it sounds like they were responding to a challenge that was provided to redesign the flag. So I wouldn't take that as something that was uh a proposal or something that was being pushed by the ABC. I hear your concerns. I would want to ensure that a range of perspectives would have been considered from students in that programme. Um again, Senator, unfortunately I haven't seen it. Um but you know your your point is you know all perspectives should be considered, and I would have imagined that would be the case. Maybe the challenge should have not been redesigned the flag, but keep or redesign. Maybe that would have been a better challenge.
So for balance, would you consider a program called Stuff the British Gave Us?
Um it would be an interesting program. You are you into pitching, Senator?
No, I'm not then. I'm just you know, that would be a balance of perspectives under your rules.
Oh, look, I was just gonna add Senator. So I uh one of members of my team actually has indicated that they did look at that programme just for your for further information. The program was looking at more broadly about the history of the Union Jack, so it was looking into that. In particular, um uh the kind of genesis of the English flag and whether actually it was linked to a flag from the Republic of Genoa back in 1190. So it was a historical look at the English flag uh and that one particular segment, my understanding was uh really just a scene to um get children to think about the broader story of the history of the Union Jack and its origins.
Yeah, I just have um an issue with encourage our children encouraging our children to think about a new flag, given that brave women women put on their shoulder and go to war for us.
Uh look, uh I understand Senator, but I don't think that the ABC could be accused of not running a variety of other programming and material across it across its um across the year that looks um at the contribution of um Australians in different ways. I mean, you know, you specifically spoke about one particular instance and we we cover extensively, for example, the Anzac Day and the parades and marches around that. We run a whole series of programming on Australia Day, Australia Day marches, citizenship ceremonies, um, and a variety of other programming. So I mean if you look across the balance of our output, I think um we can stand by that we're providing a good cross section of you know the relevant history of Australia?
Coup up the balance.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chair.
Uh thank you, Senator Whitten.