Page 3035 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 23 September 2014
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MS BURCH: I thank Mr Doszpot for his question. It is on public record that I have responded to the commonwealth on the offer for the chaplaincy program. I have said that I am interested, but I have also proposed that that include chaplains and secular welfare workers. Included in the letter back to Senator Scott Ryan, who was the relevant responsible federal member, I included letters of support for my position from the independent schools association and the Catholic Education Office. They support my view that here in the ACT I firmly believe that schools should have choice, and that is what all three sectors of the education framework here in the ACT support.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what information have you provided to schools that currently have a school chaplain, and what choice do they have in the matter?
MS BURCH: The advice I have provided to schools has been very clear—that is, I think we have a very strong case here, supported by the independent schools and supported by the Catholic schools, that schools should have the final choice. If they choose a chaplain, so be it; if they choose a secular support worker then so be it.
Last week I met with Di Priest, who is the organising agency for most of the chaplains in Canberra. She too supports that position. Everyone I speak to that is involved in this program thinks that our argument is solid and firm. The proposition I have put to the commonwealth is that, yes, we have an interest in this, but it is based on a school’s choice. I firmly believe that with all of us putting the same proposition I do not know how the commonwealth can refuse us.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, will schools be able to access the commonwealth funding through your directorate to engage a chaplain? Yes or no?
MS BURCH: If there is any change to the existing arrangements, and given that we have every school sector agreeing to us, it rests with the commonwealth to say that they will indeed be responsible for dismissing over 20 secular workers in the ACT.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, why is it important for schools to have a choice between chaplains and secular welfare workers?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Berry for her interest in this. I firmly believe that the schools leadership and the schools definitely know the best fit for their school. And that is why this should be based on schools’ choice. Some schools value the appointment of chaplains and the work that those individuals do in their schools. Many other schools value the successful work of secular support workers within our schools.
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