Protecting the rights of parents and faith-based schools
It all started when…
Over 10000 West Aussies signed Petition no. 75 – Protecting the rights of parents and faith-based schools, calling on the McGowan Government to strengthen the right and role of faith-based schools rather than introduce legislation to diminish it.
Article 18(4) of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights protects “the liberty of parents… to ensure the religious & moral education of their children”.
During his Premier’s statement at the commencement of the 2023 Parliamentary sittings, Mr Mark McGowan stated “From a legislative perspective, 2023 will be a year of reform. We will reform the Equal Opportunity Act, bringing Western Australia in line with modern community expectations and ensuring that all Western Australians will be free from discrimination, harassment, vilification and victimisation.”
The Equal Opportunity Act in its current form provides a legal exemption for faith-based schools to exclusively hire (Christian, Muslim, Jewish etc.) staff.
These staff are essential to the effective and authentic delivery of the education that reinforces the values of the parents and students.
Those who disagree with these essential components of faith-based education are free, as they should be, to send their children to a different school of their choice.
I’m confident any diligent Labor MP would reject an employment application from a “Liberal” or a “Green” because of a lack of alignment.
So too, should faith-based schools be able to retain their long held right to discriminate based on values, especially given their core business is actually values-based education.
I oppose the excessive interference of Government and had the privilege of tabling the petition on 29 November 2022, calling for the protection of the rights of parents and the role of faith-based schools.
It was then referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs for its consideration.
You can read the submissions from the Principal Petitioner and concise submissions from the peak bodies of our affected communities here.
It would be expected that this petition, particularly when signed by so many petitioners would be thoroughly investigated by this parliamentary committee.
Unfortunately, this Committee did not call on any of the peak bodies to fully understand how changes to the Equal Opportunity Act will impact them, stating:
“Following consideration of those responses, the Committee decided on 22 February 2023 not to conduct any further inquiries and to finalise its consideration of the petition, on the grounds that the matters raised will be considered and debated by the Legislative Council in due course. The bill to amend the Equal Opportunities Act 1984 has yet to be drafted.”
The submissions from the Attorney General John Quigley, and the Education Minister Tony Buti were attached to the Committee’s response. They do not offer any promise of protection.
This was a very disappointing outcome, however it’s important to continue to send a message to the Labor Government that people of faith have a place at the table, and you can do so by writing to your local member, to the Education Minister and the Attorney General expressing your disappointment
No one should be harassed because of their faith.
On Tuesday 17 October, I had the privilege of tabling a further petition signed by more than 5,000 West Aussies urging the State Government to leave faith-based schools alone.
This petition has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs.
It is important that this matter is investigated by this parliamentary committee.
Faith-based schools play a crucial role in providing parents an education for their children grounded in values and beliefs that are consistent with those taught in their home.
It is concerning that the government may move to subject faith-based schools to unreasonable limitations, jeopardising their ability to deliver the uniquely faith-based education that is sought after by families.
As a minimum, it is premature for the State Government to be doing anything while the Federal Government is awaiting a report from the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) dealing with religious educational institutions.
There is no good reason why Premier Cook and his Ministers can’t wait until the findings of the ALRC have been handed down before making any changes to WA’s Equal Opportunity Act.
You have my commitment to do what I can to protect the rights of parents to have their children educated by people who share their values, and for schools to employ candidates who are the best ‘fit’ for their organisation.