Inquiry into Civics Education, Engagement, and Participation in Australia - Submission 130

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora

SBS presents its submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for an inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia. It highlights SBS’s long-standing role in supporting civic participation through multilingual services, trusted news and culturally informed content, and targeted initiatives for language other than English speakers and First Nations peoples. The submission emphasizes risks to social cohesion and the spread of mis- and disinformation, and argues for additional funding and partnerships to expand screen, audio, and online civic education, including election information and resources for school-aged children.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Key contributions and activities

Opportunities for additional civic education

Recommendations

Inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia Submission 130 SBS SUBMISSION TO THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL MATTERS INQUIRY INTO CIVICS EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND PARTICIPATION IN AUSTRALIA (SEPTEMBER 2024) Executive Summary • SBS appreciates the opportunity to respond to the inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia (Inquiry) by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (the Committee) . For almost 50 years, SBS has played a fundamental role in supporting civics education, engagement, and participation for all Australians through the depth and breadth of our services and activities. • SBS’s particular remit to inform, education and entertain people in their preferred language , coupled with our reach and trust with the communities we serve in more than 60 languages , means that SBS is often the primary local source of accurate, reliable and culturally informed news and information to facilitate civic and democratic participation for those who speak a language other than English. Key activities during the last Federal election included live translation of the debates in four languages, and multilingual explainers on how to vote. • SBS is a public policy asset whose value in the context of this Inquiry cannot be understated , noting in particular the recent deterioration of social cohesion , the proliferation of mis-and disinformation on social media platforms, and the threats to sustainable and accessible trusted news. • SBS already works closely with key agencies such as the Australian Electoral Commission in the lead up to elections, and would welcome any additional opportunities to partner with governments and government agencies at all levels to promote civic engagement , while maintaining editorial independence. In particular, SBS can be further leveraged to expand its existing work for multicultural, multilingual and First Nations peoples – a number of whom may be facing ‘social or socio-economic1 or 2 other barriers that may be preventing electoral participation’3 – a focus of the Inquiry. SBS reaches 1 in 2 of speakers of a language other than English every week ,4 and our network is also home to the dedicated National Indigenous Television (NITV) service by, for, and about First Nations peoples. • In addition to specific multilingual or First Nations audiences, there is also an opportunity for SBS to deliver civic education to school aged children in an engaging way via SBS Learn , which already delivers culturally informed resources to educators around the country , linked to SBS content and key cultural celebrations such as Lunar New Year and Diwali. • While the SBS network is already delivering positive outcomes, additional funding would facilitate the delivery of additional screen , audio and online content that increases access by more Australians to ‘relevant, appropriate, and culturally suitable information about Australian democracy, electoral events, enrolment and voting to promote full electoral participation’5 – as identified by the Inquiry , through avenues such as: 1 Australian Bureau of Statistics published on 26 June 2024 that ‘[,,,] in the 2019–20 financial year, migrants were less likely to earn personal income (70%), compared with the total population of Australia (76%) […]’, see [https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities) 2 According to Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and National Indigenous Australian Agency, see [https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/2-08-income](https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/2-08-income) 3 Inquiry’s terms of reference 4 SBS In-language Research Program for financial year 2022–23, n = 1200 5 Inquiry’s terms of reference Inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia Submission 130 o Australia’s most tr

FAQs

What role does SBS say it plays in supporting civic and democratic participation in Australia?

SBS states it has played a fundamental role for almost 50 years by delivering civics education, engagement, and participation through a wide range of services and activities, including culturally informed news and information in many languages.

How does SBS plan to support voters and communities during federal elections?

SBS highlights live translation of election debates in four languages and multilingual explainers on how to vote, positioning these services to facilitate civic and democratic participation.

What does SBS recommend the government do in response to the inquiry?

SBS recommends government include SBS more formally in new civic information and education activities and take steps to address threats to social cohesion, including considering interventions related to trusted information on social media platforms.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora