Christian schools threatened by proposed Australian Bill

Christian schools in Australia’s Northern Territory could soon lose the freedom to only employ people who share their Christian beliefs.

If proposed amendments to the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act are passed, exemptions which allow faith-based educational institutions to make such appointments would be removed.

The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has called the proposed changes a “direct attack on Christian organisations” and it will “effectively end Christian schooling in the Territory”.

‘Completely disrespected’

The ACL’s Christopher Brohier said: “What the bill does is for the first time in any jurisdiction, as far as I know in Australia, it removes the protective or balancing clause that allows faith-based schools to operate according to their ethos” and employ Christian teachers.

Christian Schools Australia (CSA) said the proposed changes will “make the Northern Territory the only jurisdiction in the country that does not have a specific exemption that allows religious schools to employ staff who share their beliefs”.

Its Director of Public Policy, Mark Spencer said: “Christian schools in the Northern Territory have been ‘thrown to the lions’ and the rights of parents and carers to choose a genuine faith-based education for their children completely disrespected”.

Removes protections

The ACL said that the Bill seeks to remove most exemptions for religious organisations and will empower courts to determine church theology and doctrine.

The group said: “New prohibitions will allow anyone who feels offended to lodge a vilification complaint against speech they don’t like.”

According to ACL it will also empower the Anti-Discrimination Commission to police Christian groups and require them to act contrary to biblical imperatives of sexual purity and monogamy.