Premier rules out school religion change despite

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has ruled out changing the way religious instruction is delivered in state schools. It comes after The Courier-Mail revealed details of a draft change to Labor’s policy platform, calling for religion to be made opt-in for parents rather than opt out.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had no plans to change the way religious instruction was delivered in state schools. Picture: AAP/Albert Perez

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has ruled out changing the way religious instruction is delivered in state schools.

There is a draft change to Labor’s policy platform to come before Labor’s State Conference later this month calling for the lessons to be made opt-in for parents rather than opt out.

Ms Palaszczuk said she had “no plans” to change the current system.

She would also not be drawn on the push to scrap independent public schools amid a Government review.

The Premier said she was awaiting a briefing from Education Minister Grace Grace on the issue.

A draft of Labor’s plan obtained by The Courier-Mail earlier this month revealed the push to reduce the amount of religion taught in state schools, with several references to a “secular” education system.

Religion is currently taught on an “opt-out” basis in Queensland state schools, which would be set to change under the proposal.

Rank-and-file Labor members will be asked to vote on hundreds of agenda items at the conference, which also includes the banning of balloons, decriminalising prostitution, and regulating the number of drug and alcohol tests employers can perform on employees.

About 250 Queensland schools, such as Brisbane State High, operate under the independent public schools model, which gives them more input into their curriculum. The submission, however, argues that the system has seen state schools “competing against each other”.

“Labor supports school autonomy and local decision making, but the introduction of independent public schools by the former Newman government has created a two-tiered education system,” the document says.