In his maiden speech to parliament, Senator for Victoria James Paterson said he was “not a fan” of the national curriculum, describing it as “skewed towards a left of centre world view”.

He cited the Charter Schools system in the United States in which schools receive public money but operate independently of the public schools system as an idea that could benefit Australia.

But Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce said the curriculum had been formed through extensive consultation with state education ministers and was not centralised in Canberra.

“I agree with the senator that we need more flexible models in the education system to better cater for the diverse needs of students,” he said.

“However there is no evidence that a market based approach to education improves results or that the charter schools movement has assisted in that regard, particularly in cases where the charter schools have been privately owned.”

In the speech, Senator Paterson put forward his own suggestions to improve the curriculum.

He said the importance of the free enterprise system should have greater emphasis in the class room, along with the importance of securing paid employment.

The 28-year-old also suggested placing greater importance on Australia’s British heritage in the formation of political institutions and democratic freedoms.

While praising the senator’s initiative, Mr Pearce said it was important to keep a focus on evidence-based methods of achieving outcomes in schools, rather than ideology.

“I note that the federal government recently announced a Productivity Commission inquiry into the education evidence base,” he said.

“This will hopefully result in a sharpened focus on evidence based policy and funding rather than that driven by ideology.”

James Paterson was sworn in as the newest member of the Australian parliament last week.

He was successful in replacing outgoing Senator Michael Ronaldson. Former Bendigo-based Member for Northern Victoria Amanda Millar was also considered for the vacancy.