09 July 2024 – For Immediate Release
Prime Minister Must Intervene To Protect Religious Freedom
Over 250 Christian Schools are calling on the Prime Minister to intervene directly in the stalled Religious Freedom Bill and to ensure that the Albanese Government delivers on its election commitment to strengthen religious freedom protections.
Earlier today the Attorney-General indicated that they have yet to receive a formal response from the Coalition regarding the proposed draft laws. The Government and the Opposition have received from faith leaders detailed amendments, the kind of ‘line by line engagement’ that the Attorney-General indicated he is seeking.
The Shadow Attorney-General has indicated support for the proposals from faith leaders. We are so close to having a historic settlement of this contentious issue.
Once again Christian Schools are calling on the Prime Minister to intervene directly in this stalled bill and provide certainly to schools and faith communities.
ENDS
Comments attributed to Vanessa Cheng, Executive Officer, Australian Association of Christian Schools –
“Christian schools want to focus on education, not litigation, and need a clear ‘positive right’ to continue employing staff who share their values and beliefs."
Comments attributed to Alistair Macpherson, Executive Director, Public Policy and Advocacy
Associated Christian Schools –
“It’s important that both the Government and the opposition are able to come to a joint consensus on this legislation. We don’t want our schools to be turned into a political battleground”
Comments attributed to Mark Spencer, Director of Public Policy, Christian Schools Australia –
“Both the Government and Opposition have been provided detailed drafting from faith groups regarding the legislation. We need the Prime Minister to intervene and deliver on his election promise to deliver religious freedom legislation”
About us:
About the Associations:
Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) represents over a hundred independent Christian schools in every state and territory across Australia, ranging from very small to large; urban to regional, rural and remote. The majority of member schools are non-denominational with a protestant heritage and are governed by parent associations with over 44,000 students enrolled from a wide variety of socio-economic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Associated Christian Schools (ACS) represents over 45 independent Christian Schools throughout Queensland. With over 30,000 students attending member schools, this represents approximately 20% of the independent school students in Queensland. Whilst each of our member schools are independently governed, they choose to collaborate together through ACS, for the purpose of delivering high quality Christian education for the common good.
Christian Schools Australia (CSA)is the largest association of Christian schools in the country and has member schools educating over 86,000 students and employing over 13,500 staff at more than 200 locations across Australia. CSA member schools provide caring and compassionate education within an authentic Christian learning community.
Contact details:
For all media enquiries:
Vanessa Cheng, Australian Association of Christian Schools, 0416 277 372
Alistair Macpherson, Associated Christian Schools, 0401 365 776
Mark Spencer, Christian Schools Australia, 0419 419 224
