A discussion paper put out by the federal, state and territory attorneys-general leaves the way open for corporal punishment in schools. It says that if parents explicitly permit it, schools may use it.
It is bizarre that these same attorneys-general have had to deal with issues like domestic violence and gun control. It is important that leaders in society express the view that violence can never be a solution to problems. If the use of violence by people in positions of power is condoned by the state and seen as acceptable by institutions in society, it will set a poor example to young people. It can only encourage the view that solutions can be found with violence. As adults we know that violence perpetuates violence and it does not create long-term solutions to problems in human relations.
Independent MLA Michael Moore has argued that corporal punishment should be banned in government and independent schools by legislation. He says that reduced class sizes is the way to achieve better harmony in the classroom and to achieve non-violent solutions. That may or may not be the case, but he is certainly right in saying there means than inflicting violence to keep discipline in the class.
There is a further difficulty with the parent-knows-best approach that permits corporal punishment if parents agree: it creates two classes of children with its inevitable resentments and jealousies.
Every European nation, except Britain and Ireland have banned corporal punishment in schools. Poland abolished it 300 years ago. There is no place for it in Australia.