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COMPULSORY ANTHEM TO ADVANCE RACIAL HARMONY
(New Zealand Press Association Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)NZPA Correspondent
Sydney, Jan 22 NZPA - Schools across New South Wales will be forced to play the Australian national anthem before class under a radical state government plan to create respect in a community blighted by recent race riots.
Teachers at primary schools will be required to introduce ``Australian values'' studies from the beginning of this school year while the old Three Rs -- reading, writing and arithmetic -- will be expanded to five to include the topics of respect and responsibility.
NSW premier Maurice Iemma said the requirement to play the national anthem would apply to government and non-government schools. All will be supplied with a CD of Advance Australia Fair.
``The national anthem is about community spirit, being a proud Australian and recognising our shared national identity,'' he said.
``All schools will be expected to play Advance Australia Fair at their regular assemblies.
``We want each and every student to learn about this important part of our cultural heritage.''
Schools will also be given palm cards containing both verses of the anthem to help students learn the words.
Students will also be taught units examining what it means to be Australian.
These units include issues such as family values, community harmony, national heritage, values and identity, cultural differences and significant historical events.
The move marks the first stage of plans to foster respect of authority which will be introduced over the next few months.
Changes cover all the major portfolios, including police, transport and housing.
It will include a law enforcement package with new laws to make it easier for police to crack down on anti-social behaviour including riots.
Fines and penalties for a range of offences such as damaging public property, including transport and housing, will also be reviewed.
Unveiling the details to The Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Iemma said the recent Cronulla beach riots demonstrated the need to build respect for authority within the community.
``I believe what happened at Cronulla, Maroubra and Brighton-Le-Sands had its roots in a fundamental lack of respect for authority developed at an early age,'' he said.
``We have a massive police response in place and police will continue to work to arrest the offenders involved in the riot and revenge attacks.
``We must now turn to the root causes and develop the solutions to ensure there is no repeat in the future.''
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