Interview — MIX 104.9 with Katie Woolf
Topics: New Holocaust museum in Northern Territory; National Curriculum; Federal Election
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KATIE WOOLF:
We know that it has been announced this morning that Australia is going to have a Holocaust Memorial in each state and territory after the Morrison Government committed $750,000 towards the establishment of a Holocaust Museum in Darwin. Now, the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, is expected to be in Darwin today for the announcement. But joining me on the line right now is the acting Federal Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert. Good morning to you. Good morning, Minister. Hopefully I've got you there.
MINISTER ROBERT:
You do indeed. Good morning to you.
KATIE WOOLF:
Now, Minister, what's been behind the drive to establish this memorial in Darwin, and why had the Northern Territory been without a Holocaust Museum until now?
MINISTER ROBERT:
This is the last of the museums to complete every state and territory so that we've got a very visible representation of the horror of what the Nazi regime did as a crime against humanity. And they place an exhibition, not just to remember, but also to educate Australians about that horror and how it never needs to happen again. We've been working around the country to put in place these museums. The Northern Territory is just the last piece of the puzzle, and it’s great to join with the Northern Territory Government on this.
KATIE WOOLF:
Now, where in Darwin is it going to be established and how exactly is it going to operate?
MINISTER ROBERT:
The museum will actually be next to the current military museum. And that's – it'll go next door to that. And the intent is it’ll be staffed and run as a professional museum, as a place where school students, and indeed the general community, can go along to be educated, to understand, to reflect upon what happened, why it happened, and to ensure it doesn't happen again. And if you think about, and you read through the Gandel Foundation’s research that we put out last week, a quarter of Australian adults know nothing of the Holocaust and the destruction of six million Jewish people; and 70 per cent of the entire population don't understand the Australian connection. So there is a need for education and this is another great piece in that puzzle.
KATIE WOOLF:
Yeah, it's quite unbelievable, isn't it, that 70 per cent are not aware of Australia's connections to the Holocaust. I mean, has this gotten worse with time, do you think?
MINISTER ROBERT:
My understanding is it has. And time does blur all things, I understand that, but there are some things that we should never forget, because if we forget our history, there is a chance, however slim, that we are destined, as humanity, to repeat that history. And it's why Holocaust history is so important to remember that a nation state and a Nazi regime would seek to exterminate a people for no other reason other than their faith. It’s just extraordinary. And it's important we understand that, understand what drove it, reflect, and affirm this will never happen again.
KATIE WOOLF:
Now, how does the Federal Government view the importance of establishing memorials such as this, obviously, but also side by side with what was experienced by Indigenous Australians in terms of the Stolen Generation?
MINISTER ROBERT:
The next step, of course, the Government is working through, is a suitable memorial and a resting place for Indigenous remains. That’s been a topic of conversation for a long period of time, and we're working our way through that in the nation's capital in Canberra, as we should, as is fitting. And likewise, there’s a very strong educational bend that moves through that. Now, the national curriculum, of course, education ministers have been working through, very strongly recognise the wonderful Indigenous history so Australian students can understand that history. So we're already cementing that through our educational system, which is important when it comes to the Holocaust, which is not a strong feature of our education system – it is featured, but nowhere near as strongly as Indigenous history, as is understandable and as is appropriate – but this is where museums in locations are really, really important.
KATIE WOOLF:
Do you think that we've reached a point in Australia – just on that Indigenous issue, do you think we've reached a point in Australia where it should – that it should be a part of the curriculum and have to be a part of the curriculum to learn about our Indigenous history?
MINISTER ROBERT:
It is. In fact, I read it last night. I'm preparing for Education Ministers meeting this Friday where we’ll move our way through the curriculum, and Indigenous history is front and centre, which is wonderful to see.
KATIE WOOLF:
Well, we know that you're very pressed for time this morning, as are we, so we really appreciate your time this morning, Stuart Robert, the acting Minister for Education and Youth. Before I let you go, mate, when is this election happening? May?
MINISTER ROBERT:
Well, the Prime Minister has said that the Government will go full term and full term is somewhere near the end of May. So if I was a betting man, and I'm not, I would suggest the Morrison Government will live up to its pledge that we will go full term. We will govern and lead Australia through the pandemic, as we have so strongly done. And end of May, the Australian people will be able to make a choice between a government that has led strongly and delivered; record unemployment down 4.2 per cent, heading to a number with three, versus a flip-flopping Mr Albanese. I think that’ll be a worthy choice for Territorians to make.
KATIE WOOLF:
Well, I tell you what, it's going to be an interesting couple of months, no doubt about it. Stuart Robert, we really appreciate you taking the time to have a quick chat with us this morning.
MINISTER ROBERT:
Lovely to chat. Cheers.
KATIE WOOLF:
Thank you.