The Importance of Religious Schools Recognised

AACS welcomed the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Religious Schools and Faith Communities in Canberra on Monday, providing an opportunity for Parliamentarians across all political parties to gather and discuss issues of importance to the fastest growing segment of the education sector.

ALP Senator Deborah O’Neill and Liberal MP Mr Julian Leeser are co-chairs of the group which welcomed leaders of Anglican, Catholic, Christian, Islamic, Lutheran and Jewish schooling sectors, as well as representatives from a range of faith communities.

AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng shared with the group “As a mother of five children who have benefitted from Christian schooling, I’ve seen first-hand the love, care and commitment teachers and staff in a Christian education, an education that supports the values of our family."

Speakers at the launch included Geoff Brailey from McCrindle research, who shared demographic data about the spiritual landscape in Australia, followed by John Steenhof from the Human Rights Law Alliance who talked about Australia’s commitments to religious freedom and parental rights under the ICCPR.

Attendees, both Parliamentarians and faith leaders, expressed appreciation for the establishment of the group and indicated a strong desire for further opportunities to meet and discuss the opportunities for faith-based schools and the challenges they face.