Setting a good example...

I'm sorry - did I hear wrong, or is the federal government trying to tell me they have the credibility to set a standard school curriculum?

Let's look at some examples of fundamentals that I'd like my daughter to learn, and the Howard government's best examples of these:

Compassion: destroying the lives of children and the most vulnerable - refugees and escapees - by cruel, often indefinite, detention... Letting asylum seekers drown rather than destroy our "values".... etc

Respect for the rule of law: Flagrantly ignoring the federal court's decision that the Tampa should dock after saving people in distress from drowning. Excising large portions of Australia's land mass from immigration laws.

Honesty: need I say anything on this one...

Respect for democratic values: misusing and constraining parliament's ability to scrutinise vitally important Bills in the upper house.

Belief in fair and open public debate: Appointing Janet Albrechtsen and Keith Windschuttle to the board of the ABC.

Respect for a diversity of views: slashing the ABC's budget, then stacking the board.

Understanding of others: cutting Centrelink benefits for single mothers and those with illnesses. Employing a policy of "breach first, ask questions later".

Intellectual rigour: Deporting AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS for speaking the wrong language and having a mental illness.

I'd rather have my mad uncle teach my darling daughter about life. At least he knows he's crazy.