‘Ideology’ afflicting religious freedoms

The Australian Association of Christian Schools says its schooling model is at threat of widespread collapse if the religious discrimination bill fails.

The Australian Association of Christian Schools says its schooling model is at threat of widespread collapse if the religious discrimination bill fails, as it seeks to be legally shielded to hire and fire employees based on their religious views.

The peak Christian body, which represents more than 40,000 students, says “ideological views” in state politics are encroaching on its ability to function, lobbying for the bill to pass to ensure nationally consistent protections are ­enshrined for faith-based organisations.

It comes following recent laws passed through the Victorian government’s Equal Opportunity Bill, which means it is now illegal for religious organisations and schools to sack or refuse to hire people based on a list of protected attributes such as sexuality, gender identity or marital status.

AACS government relations adviser Dylan Turner said these recent changes had propelled schools into a state of fear amid concerns they could now be hit with discrimination claims they would not have the funding or resources to fight.

The organisation represents about 100 schools that operate under a model where Christianity is embedded within all parts of the teaching program. Its religious beliefs “permeate all parts” of the curriculum, with all staff expected to operate under the same Christian worldview.

Mr Turner said it was essential for all employees, including non-teaching staff such as receptionists and groundskeepers, to be aligned with the school’s religious principles.

“The entire model which our network of schools is based on is under threat if this does not pass,” Mr Turner said. “The Christian school model is that all staff are Christians who believe and live according to a certain belief system that the school has determined, or the governing body has agreed to, and as such the staff are hired in accordance with that belief.

“Our school communities want every member of their community to be Christian because it aids the nurturing of the children in a fully Christian environment. The community, and the parents of the community, believe it is important that every adult within that community holds the same beliefs, and that is important to create a nurturing environment to ensure that students are educated in accordance with those beliefs.”

The organisation is pushing for two critical parts of the legislation to pass, including clause 7, which protects the ability for schools to hire in accordance with their faith, and clause 11, which overrides state and territory legislation on that ability.