The Rudd Government has refused to rule out cancelling funding for this program despite figures showing 97% of school principals who have engaged a chaplain strongly support the program and recognise the benefits for their school communities.
I have been a strong supporter of our Chappy’s, having been part of the effort to initiate the program under Prime Minister John Howard.
The National School Chaplaincy Program, was an initiative of the former Coalition Government and we continue to recognise the valuable role chaplains play supporting students and school communities by offering pastoral care and guidance across religious denominations and beliefs.
Please be reassured that the Coalition continues to support in-principle this program in its current form. I will be raising this matter with the Rudd Government and urge you to add your concerns to the Coalition’s education website www.educationforaustralia.com.au.
I am also doing a petition that you may wish to participate in. Petitions to the House of Representatives must be on paper and signatures are required to be in original handwriting. Please print the petition and ensure that all signatures are collected on this form as they will not be recognised on blank, faxed or photocopied pages. You are welcome to print multiple copies or forward this petition on to other people.
Once you have completed the petition please return to my office at PO Box 2012, Strathpine, QLD 4500. I will then present the petition to the House of Representatives.
If we keep the pressure up on Mr Rudd, particularly through our petition process I hope he will change his mind and provide certainty to the funding going forward.
Click here for petition..