An e-petition calling for Queensland Christian schools to be protected has received one of the largest number of signatures over the last two decades according to Christian Schools Australia (CSA).
The Protect the Rights of Christian Schools petition attracted more than 17,000 verified signatures.
It called on the state government to “allow all religious schools in Queensland to continue employing staff who share the beliefs of the school”.
A poll undertaken by CSA late last year found more than 80% of Queenslanders support the right of a religious school to employ teachers and other staff who support the clearly stated values and beliefs of the school.
83% supported the right of parents to choose a school that reflects their strongly held values and beliefs.
CSA Director of Public Policy Mark Spencer said that support is strong across the political spectrum.
He proclaimed: “The Queensland Attorney-General needs to take notice of these results. She cannot dismiss them as she did with an earlier, much smaller, e-petition.”
“Queensland school parents deserve to know if they will be able to choose a school that reflects their values and beliefs,” he continued.
Mr. Spencer said CSA member schools had an average enrolment growth of 2.8% year over the past five years.
“‘The hundreds of thousands of parents across Australia choosing a Christian school deserve a school that lives up to that name”
“An authentic Christian school needs staff who have an authentic personal faith.”
Victoria and the Northern Territory have passed laws that have made that much harder to achieve.
The Australian Law Reform Commission has also proposed that the Federal government remove exemptions for religious schools in discrimination laws relating to sexual orientation and gender identity for staff and students.
Its final recommendations are expected in April.
