Preschool is accused of ‘manipulating’ kids by encouraging them to petition for the Aboriginal flag to be raised permanently on the Harbour Bridge
- Petition to have Aboriginal flag flown on Harbour Bridge started by activists
- Pupils at Kelly’s Place Children’s Centre in Crows Nest are supporting it
- But some say the children are being brainwashed by their teachers
- The preschool denies this and says children chose to support the petition
Preschool staff have been accused of manipulating three-year-olds who are petitioning to have the Aboriginal flag flown permanently on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Children aged three to five at Kelly’s Place Children’s Centre in Crows Nest on Sydney’s North Shore have been supporting a petition by Aboriginal activists since early this year.
They have been walking up and down station platforms and sitting outside their houses to get as many signatures as possible.
Children aged three to five (pictured) at Kelly’s Place Children’s Centre in Crows Nest on Sydney’s North Shore have been supporting a petition by activists since early this year
Last month the children visited the NSW state parliament and presented their signatures to Labor leader Jodi McKay who supports the idea.
More than 120,000 have signed the petition started by activist Cheree Toka – but many do not approve of children getting involved.
Respected child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said they are being used by their teachers.
‘These children do not even have the cognitive ability to understand what a petition is,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.
Referencing 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg’s speech at the UN last month, he added: ‘I think the idea of roping children into political campaigns seems to be in vogue. Children should not be used as props.’
Institute of Public Affairs executive director John Roskom agreed, saying the children are ‘being manipulated by adults in positions of responsibility for the adults’ own political purposes’.
The children (pictured) have been walking up and down station platforms and sitting outside their houses to get as many signatures as possible
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she was ‘deeply concerned’ that young children were being politicised.
A spokesman for the preschool denied that the children were being used and said the idea to support the petition came from the youngsters themselves.
He said: ‘One of the children noticed there was no Aboriginal flag on the Harbour Bridge and said that was disrespectful.
‘He was four-and-a-half at the time and came in and told the other children that was disrespectful.’
‘They went through the process of learning who to speak to – and they achieved what they wanted. They were incredibly empowered by their abilities.’
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she was ‘deeply concerned’ that young children were being politicised. Pictured: Pupils get another signature