Coalition Proposes Veterans for Classroom Discipline Amid Education Reforms
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Coalition Proposes Veterans for Classroom Discipline Amid Education Reforms
- Australia's Coalition announced on Saturday, September 19, 2026, a plan to address declining classroom discipline and academic performance by encouraging Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans to become teachers.
- Shadow Education Minister Julian Leeser outlined the proposal, which also includes an overhaul of the national curriculum to emphasize "Western values" and "national pride."
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On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Australia’s Coalition unveiled a comprehensive education reform plan, highlighted by a controversial proposal to recruit military veterans to improve classroom discipline. Shadow Education Minister Julian Leeser, speaking at a Sydney event, presented the plan as a response to Australia’s declining academic results, including poor scores in recent Programme for International Assessment (PISA) figures and ongoing issues with classroom disruption.
The Coalition’s strategy also involves a significant revision of the national curriculum. This overhaul would remove existing cross-curriculum priorities such as Indigenous history and culture, sustainability, and Asia engagement. In their place, the curriculum would focus on fostering “national pride” and “Western values,” including democracy, the rule of law, and a “fair go.” Leeser emphasized the importance of teaching students about Australia’s Indigenous heritage, British foundation, and multicultural character, but suggested these topics be taught as discrete units rather than integrated across subjects. The proposal also includes placing an Australian flag in every school.
Additionally, the Coalition plans to streamline pathways into teaching, potentially shortening teacher accreditation to one year, to address teacher shortages. The idea of a “veteran-to-teacher pipeline” is specifically linked to the aim of enhancing behavior and discipline within schools. Leeser highlighted the Australian Defence Force as an organization that “has no problem with discipline,” suggesting veterans could bring this ethos to classrooms. The Albanese government has been pursuing a strategy of “consensus politics” and projecting an image of seriousness and competency.