WA Christian Schools Under Threat

The Law Reform Commission of Western Australia's (LRCWA) has released its final report on the The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) making 163 recommendations which the Government has broadly accepted.

AACS is concerned that the report recommends restricting the ability of Christian schools to employ Christian staff across all roles by introducing 'inherent requirements' and 'reasonable and proportionate' tests, similar to recent changes to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010. If this recommendaiton is acted upon by the Government, Christian schools would only be able to expect certain employees, such as the Principal or Chaplain, to be a Christian when applying for a job in a Christian school.

We need your help to let the Western Australian government know how Christian schools and their communities feel about the recommendations in the report.

Send a message to your chosen political representative below - feel free to personalise the greeting or amend the suggested text.

NOTE: your name will be added automatically at the end so no need to add it yourself.

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I am writing to let you know I am very concerned about Government's plan to implement all of the recommendations contained within the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia's (LRCWA) <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/final-report-review-of-the-equal-opportunity-act-1984">final report</a> on the The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA).
In particular,  I'm concerned about Recommendation 79 which will severely restrict the ability of Christian schools to employ only Christian staff across all roles by introducing 'inherent requirements' and 'reasonable and proportionate' tests, similar to recent changes made to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
If this recommendation is acted upon by the Government, religious schools may only be able to expect some employees, such as the Principal or Chaplain, to share the school's religious belief and the school could be sued for discrimination if they make a decision not to employ someone because they do not share the beliefs of the school.
Parents who choose to enrol their children in a Christian school expect that ALL staff within a Christian school share the beliefs of the school regardless of whether they are the maths teacher, the music teacher or the canteen manager.
The WA Government should protect the fundamental human right of parents to ensure the religious and moral education of their children, consistent with Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It's about protecting freedom of choice and diversity in education.
I urge you to REJECT Recommendation 79 of the report and allow all religious schools in Western Australia to continue employing staff who share the beliefs of the school.

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A Voice for Christian Education

WA Christian Schools Under Threat

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