MEDIA RELEASE

Religious Discrimination by NSW Government

Wednesday, 9th June 2010

The Rev Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has stated that ‘distance education' students from religious non-government schools were being discriminated against by the NSW Government. "The Government funds ‘distance education' for Government school children, but not for non-government schools. Considering almost all non-government schools are religious based, it's a form of religious discrimination. The policy basically says to parents ‘we don't care about what you want for your children, either tow the secular line or you'll pay'".

Rev Nile previously raised the issue in the NSW Parliament during question time:

Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile: I ask the Hon. John Hatzistergos, representing the Minister for Education and Training, a question without notice with regard to an issue I have been raising with the Government in private correspondence since September last year.

• Does the New South Wales Government acknowledge that it has a duty of care to provide funding for the education of all compulsory school-age children in New South Wales?

• Will the Government take immediate action to ensure all non-government school distance education students receive funding for their education?

• Why does the Government refuse to fund its distance education program in the same way as its other State counterparts?

The Hon. John Hatzistergos: I will take the question on notice and obtain an answer from the Minister for Education and Training.