Safe Schools Update: Program "Gutted" Following Review

Update: The Government has made a series of changes to the Safe Schools program, following a review.

These changes include the removal of some lesson plans deemed "unsuitable for some students" as well as any third party organisation branding.

Resources OMG I'm Queer, OMG My Friend's Queer and Stand Out will also be restricted in their distribution, according to a statement by Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham.

Yikes: Government makes sweeping changes to Safe School program in wake of review https://t.co/CYwkSLP4LQ pic.twitter.com/Xfcz0ku9mY

— Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) March 18, 2016

MP George Christensen described the program as having been "gutted" in a press conference.

Elsewhere, WA students were reportedly approached by adults handing out anti-Safe Schools leaflets on Wednesday at Mt. Lawley Senior High School, WA Today reports.

The adults refused to identify themselves.

The original story from yesterday is as follows.

A Government-commissioned review of Safe Schools has concluded that the program was, surprise, totally fine.

And yet, a number of pollies are still none too happy with the program – which has the apparently-dastardly intention of creating a safe space for LGBTQI youth – operating in Aussie institutions, citing issues with the conduct of the review.

According to ABC News, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has now thrown his lot in with MP George Christensen and Senator Cory Bernardi - the two most high-profile politicians seeking to have the program scrapped - by signing their petition to end Safe Schools.

But twist! It was Abbott who introduced the program while he was PM.

And double twist! That petition is now missing. Like, the literal piece of paper has vanished.

The petition to lobby the PM on @SafeSchoolsAust has gone missing. This is not a drill, people. Petition is missing.

— Shalailah Medhora (@shalailah) March 16, 2016

MPs were sent an email last night asking whoever had the petition to return it to George Christensen's office. https://t.co/7tfhs2tNMS

— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) March 16, 2016

Aaaanyway, during Question Time today, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull cautioned all bickering members to “choose their words carefully” when discussing Safe Schools, and to consider the effect those words are having on LGBTQI youth.

An additional 32 schools have signed up to the program since the Government first announced their plans to conduct a review. There are now 533 participating institutions across Australia.

Photo: ABC.