2018/11: Should Australian schoolchildren be able to remain seated during the national anthem?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right: On September 12, 2018, Channel 10 News televised a report detailing Harper Nielsen's refusal to stand for the national anthem and the response of her parents, other parents, her school, some Queensland politicians and some Indigenous and other supporters.What they said...
'When I didn't stand up a teacher came over to me and told me I had to stand. I refused. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I just chose to stop pretending to support something that didn't seem true'
Queensland primary school student, Harper Nielsen
'The schools have rules... If...as a parent, if you don't like that your child will have to stand for the anthem then go somewhere else. Schools have rules and they have to be abided by'
Today co-host Karl Stefanovic
The issue at a glance
On September 12, 2018, it was reported that a nine-year old girl, Harper Nielsen, had been given an after-school detention and warned of possible suspension after repeatedly refusing to stand while Australia's national anthem, 'Advance Australia Fair', was being played at her Queensland primary school.
The report, initially published in The Courier Mail, provoked widespread reaction. Politicians such as One Nation federal senator for Queensland, Pauline Hanson, and Jarrod Bleijie, Queensland's shadow minister for education, have been highly critical of Harper Nielsen's actions.
Similar disapproval has been voiced by media personalities and commentators such as Sydney 2GB's talkback presenter, Alan Jones, and Channel 9's Today co-host, Karl Stefanovic. Harper Nielsen has, however, attracted significant support from Indigenous groups and spokespeople and from a variety of media commentators and sportspeople.
The schoolgirl's actions and the response they have received has been covered in a number of overseas media outlets.