Recommendation 1

3.137

The committee recommends that the teaching of history and active citizenship should be made compulsory in years 9 and 10 and conducted by appropriately trained teachers. The Australian government should:

increase the time dedicated to civics and citizenship education to at least 30 hours per year;

review the current civics and citizenship module of the Australian National Curriculum with a view to redesigning it to make it more engaging for students; and

commit to a review of the new civics and citizenship module five years after its implementation to assess its effectiveness in increasing knowledge and engagement of young people in relation to civics and democracy.

The new civics and citizenship module should:

be based on international best‑practice, evidence-based pedagogical approaches;

include content about First Nations history, and issues of civics and citizenship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians;

include resources developed by First Nations people; and

focus on issues of interest to young people.

Recommendation 2

3.138

The committee recommends that the Australian government funds annual national excellence in teaching awards, which incorporate grants, scholarships and teaching placements, in the following categories:

Australian History and Civics; and

First Nations History and Civics.

Recommendation 3

3.145

The committee recommends that the Australian government works through the National Cabinet to increase the number of school children accessing trips to Australia's democratic and cultural institutions through the Parliamentary and Civics Education Rebate program each year.

Recommendation 4

3.183

The committee recommends that the Australian government prioritises engaging fully and respectfully with the calls of the Referendum Council and the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Recommendation 5

3.184

The committee recommends that the Australian government adopts the 'three great streams' model as a powerful and inclusive image of Australian nationhood, and as a way of telling Australia's national story that offers dignity and respect to all Australians.

Recommendation 6

4.59

The committee recommends that the Australian government engages in dialogue with Australian citizens–including prospective citizens–about their rights and responsibilities, and our shared values, history and national identity.

To support this dialogue, the committee recommends the government:

develop and support educational and school programs that improve co‑operation, communication and participation, as well as increasing critical ability, reducing prejudice and building tolerance, understanding, empathy, and an openness to diversity;

enable people and local communities to get involved in their democratic process across all levels – from small country towns to our suburban cities and nationwide activity; and

provide prospective citizens with an engaging and informative history of Australian democracy and our system of government as part of their citizenship preparation process.

Recommendation 7

4.61

The committee recommends that the Australian government investigates options to allow dual citizens to run for, and sit in, the federal parliament.

Recommendation 8

4.181

The committee recommends that the Australian government establishes and resources a national research centre on migration, citizenship and social cohesion, to monitor:

flows of migration and migrant settlement;

issues of diversity and cohesion;

affiliation and identity;

civic participation and engagement;

evaluation of service provision and access; and

gaps in existing research.

Recommendation 9

5.88

The committee recommends that the Australian government works with the Australian Media Alliance, through a co-design process, to develop a national strategy to tackle fake news and misinformation. This process should be facilitated through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Recommendation 10

5.89

The committee recommends that the Australian government communicates its support for amendments to the United States Communications Decency Act to ensure that hate speech, violent and extremist content, and dangerous and malicious misinformation, are not permitted to flourish on the internet.

Recommendation 11

5.169

The committee recommends that the Australian government consults with the National Youth Commission and Youth Commissioner to develop options to:

ensure greater youth input into political processes of the federal parliament; and

promote democracy among Australia's youth.

Recommendation 12

5.175

The committee recommends that the Australian government establishes an independent federal anti-corruption commission that earns and maintains public confidence through transparency and accountability while also upholding the fundamental principles of justice and procedural fairness.

Recommendation 13

6.15

The committee recommends that the Australian government establishes and funds an ongoing independent Australian Democratic Audit, modelled on democratic audits in the United Kingdom and European Union.

The Australian Democratic Audit should use evidence-based, objective comparative measures to monitor the quality, durability and effectiveness of Australia's national and state level political and democratic institutions, and make recommendations for improvements and reforms.

Recommendation 14

6.60

The committee recommends that the Australian government establishes a Parliamentary Office of Science, modelled on the United Kingdom Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, to provide independent, impartial scientific advice, evidence and data to the parliament, and all Members and Senators.

Recommendation 15

6.69

The committee notes that the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters recently tabled its report on the 2019 federal election. The committee recommends the Australian government works with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to develop and implement strategies to increase and voter enrolment and voter turnout at subsequent federal elections.

Recommendation 16

6.87

The committee recommends increasing the rate of public election funding paid to parties and candidates and the introduction of administrative funding for political parties and elected independents.

Recommendation 17

6.178

The committee recommends that the Australian government amends the National Archives Act 1983 to extend the definition of a public record to include new forms of information storage such as digitised data, and to clarify the rules for public access to the Archives.

Recommendation 18

6.179

The committee recommends that the Australian government works with academics, national institutions and cultural organisations, and the non‑government sector, to develop a long-term national strategy to strengthen Australia's democracy.

List of Recommendations