Religious education: Queensland Labor ponders opt-in system

THE number of independent public schools would be capped and religion would be taught on an opt-in basis rather than the current opt-out format, under proposals to be put to the Queensland Labor State Conference.

THE number of independent public schools would be capped and religion would be taught on an opt-in basis under proposals to be put to the Queensland Labor State Conference this month.

A draft plan obtained by The Courier-Mail reveals 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 include 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.

Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

The Courier-Mail last week revealed Education Minister Grace Grace ordered a review into the IPS program just three months after a request from the powerful Queensland Teachers’ Union to axe it completely.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and then education minister Kate Jones previously decided not to change the program after an inquiry during their first term in government.

The decriminalisation of prostitution through a parliamentary inquiry is also included in the document, with the purpose of “protecting” workers in the industry.

And balloons would be banned in Queensland in an attempt to reduce the amount of waste ending up in waterways, on the back of a controversial ban on single-use plastic bags.

“Labor will ban the ceremonial mass release of balloons at government and non-government events to prevent dangerous plastic waste entering waterways and marine areas,” it says.

Labor State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell said the final agenda for the conference was yet to be completed.

“This is a draft document. Members will have an opportunity to comment and debate the document in accordance with our democratic ALP policy processes,” she said.

The conference will be held in Brisbane from August 31.