Stand Up for Christian Schooling in Australia

Dear Parents and Carers,

You may have recently heard in the media about the Australian Law Reform Commission’s paper that advocates for placing limitations on faith-based schools' ability to hire staff of like-faith. We believe that these proposed limitations are a threat to parent choice in education and potentially to the very existence of faith-based schools, including ACC Southlands.

If this is something that you are concerned about please read on and consider taking one of the actions listed.

The Federal Labor Government will soon be considering the Australian Law Reform Commission’s paper, so I invite you to take one of three actions:

1. Write a handwritten letter to your local Member of Parliament expressing your concerns and requesting the Government reject the proposed changes. This is particularly important if you’re in one of the Federal Labor seats listed below.

2. If you’re pushed for time, email a letter to your local Member of Parliament. This isn’t as impactful as a handwritten letter, but is still a worthwhile action.

3. Organise a time to see your local Member of Parliament and express your concerns with the proposed changes. (Again, this is particularly important if you’re in one of the Federal Labor seats.)

Following are some suggested talking points you might find useful when communicating with your Member of Parliament:

• Discuss the fact that a faith-based education has supported a diverse range of students who seek that education and so the question stands as what reasons these need to change.

• Discuss that we recognise that all taxes go to all education, both government and independent schools, but there are a growing number of families who are paying extra money to send their children to an independent school. Shouldn’t this mean that parents have chosen to attend such schools and if there were concerns that enrolments would be reducing in faith-based schools?

• Discuss the idea that governments have always supported various faith-based school systems, and seek to clarify what the reason is for changing that now.

Pearce Electorate

Tracey Roberts MP

Physical: Shop 3, Kingsway City Shopping Centre, 168 Wanneroo Road, Madeley, WA, 6065

Postal: PO Box 6022, House of Representatives Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Email: Tracey.Roberts.MP@aph.gov.au

Phone: (08) 6500 6499

Swan Electorate

Zaneta Mascarenhas MP

Physical: G3, 59 Albany Highway, Victoria Park, WA, 6101

Postal: PO Box 1060, Victoria Park, WA, 6981

Email: N/A

Phone: (08) 9355 0099

Brand Electorate

Madeleine King MP

Physical: Units 4 and 5, 95 Chalgrove Ave, Rockingham, WA, 6168

Postal: PO Box 5062, Rockingham Beach, WA, 6969

Email: Madeleine.King.MP@aph.gov.au

Phone: (08) 9527 9377

Hasluck Electorate

Tania Lawrence MP

Physical: Unit 3, 28 Main Street, Ellenbrook, WA, 6069

Postal: PO Box 2228 Ellenbrook, WA, 6069

Email: Tania.Lawrence.MP@aph.gov.au

Phone: (08) 6245 3340

Burt Electorate

Matt Keogh MP

Physical: Unit 2, 2808 Albany Highway, Kelmscott, WA, 6111

Postal: PO Box 465 Kelmscott, WA, 6991

Email: Matt.Keogh.MP@aph.gov.au

Phone: (08) 9390 0180

Tangney Electorate

Sam Lim MP

Physical: 6 Aveley Street, Willetton, WA, 6155

Postal: PO Box 329 Willetton, WA, 6155

Email: Sam.Lim.MP@aph.gov.au

Phone: (08) 9354 9633

With thanks,

David Ramsay