[6] The program began in Victorian schools in 2010 and expanded nationwide in 2013, in the wake of pioneering work in the 1990's by the Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association, primarily in New South Wales.
Other changes recommended and subsequently implemented include making the program only available to high schools, removing role playing activities and the requirement for parental consent before participation.
[20] Later in November that endorsement was withdrawn[21][22] with the Salvation Army saying that it, "cannot unconditionally support the Safe Schools programs in Australia in their current form".
[35] This voluntary program, developed by the Safe Schools Coalition, commenced in Victoria on 21 October 2010,[36] and received national funding of $8 million in 2013.
Resource content includes a video of same sex attracted and gender diverse youth, as well as intersex film-maker Phoebe Hart.
[47] Safe Schools material provides advice for secondary students faced with explicit-content-filters on computers[48] and with resistance to displaying LGBTIQ posters.
[55] Australian LGBTIQ rights activist and academic Rodney Croome welcomed a review as a way of ensuring its funding delivered the outcomes it sought.
[57] A petition presented by Australian Greens Senator Robert Simms to Parliament in March 2016 contained 70,000 signatures in support of the organisation.
[60] After conservatives described it as “promoting homosexuality” and “recruiting children”, the newly elected Howard government cancelled the Here for Life program.
Birmingham stated that controversy over the program was "very unhelpful because the debate that seems to be occurring in the public space is one of whether or not we should be teaching inclusiveness and tolerance in our schools".
[66] Some of the negative commentary surrounding the program has been attributed to the belief that young people who are exposed to LGBTIQ issues might then change their sexuality.
"[86] In her column in Fairfax Media she said "to my chagrin, I failed to anticipate the ammunition I offered to those like Miranda Devine and Lyle Shelton who refuse outright to accept the reality and legitimacy of trans identity."
[89] Ward's solicitors wrote to the university's Vice-Chancellor, John Dewar, urging him to withdraw all allegations and reinstate her by 10am Monday, otherwise legal action would ensue.
However, its chairman, Jeff Kennett, threatened to withdraw future funding and called for Ward to resign because of her "extreme political views".
"[94] Dr Kevin Donnelly, who advocates for conservative viewpoints in discussions of education and established an institute which promotes the inclusion of Christian beliefs in schools[95][96] and was previously co-chair of the National Curriculum Review and Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University, has argued that the program may over-ride parents' rights as primary caregivers and impose an agenda on their children which they might not accept.
[98] The Australian Human Rights Commission expressed concern over attempts to impose parental consent requirements, stating that there needed to be careful consideration of its impact on children struggling with sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status, and stating "while we recognise the rights of parents to be informed and engaged in their child’s education, it is important to ensure children who have not yet ‘come out’ to their family can still access the program and its resources.”[99] Former Prime Minister John Howard has said, "What's disappointed me is an issue like Safe Schools.
[110][111] There is however a new program called Respectful Relationships[112] which is different to Safe Schools, and was developed in response to recommendations made by the Australian Royal Commission on Family Violence.
In September 2017, the book The Gender Fairy, promoted by the Safe Schools Coalition,[45][113] featured in a television ad released in conjunction with the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey for the "No" campaign.
[114] Education Minister Simon Birmingham outlined the federal government's action in response to the Louden Review in a media statement.
[122] Following the launch of a Safe Schools-based teaching resource, NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli ordered his department to immediately withdraw the material, stating "Safe Schools materials are only to be used strictly in accordance with the revised guidelines established by the federal government,"[123] with the Minister tasking Mark Scott, the Secretary of the NSW Education Department, to undertake a review of the program.
[124] In September 2016, NSW students were told not to participate in any class lessons involving Safe Schools Coalition materials without the consent of their parents.
[127] In March 2016, following the Louden Review, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews took issue that students will now require parental permission to attend the Safe Schools program.
He "vowed to defend its place in every Victorian secondary school", while the NSW Premier Mike Baird disagreed, saying "parental engagement is a good thing.
[116] In September 2016, Queensland students were told not to participate in any class lessons involving Safe Schools Coalition materials without the consent of their parents.
[143] In September 2017 there was what was described as "aggressive altercations" to prevent people entering a Brisbane church where a Safe Schools seminar was being held.
[145] The South Australian Education Minister lamented the federal government's response to the successful program,[116] which was launched in that state on 13 June 2014.
[citation needed] In September 2016, South Australian students were told not to participate in any class lessons involving Safe Schools Coalition materials without the consent of their parents.
[147][148] In September 2016, Western Australian students were told not to participate in any class lessons involving Safe Schools Coalition materials without the consent of their parents.
[154] In August 2017 Liberal politician Elizabeth Kikkert speaking in the ACT Legislative Assembly said that "13-year-old girls [were asked] to fantasise about sexual intercourse".
Opposition education spokesman Andrew Wall tabled a petition and asked the ACT government to withdraw support for the program.