New polling has confirmed the widespread support for Christian schools and their rights to hold to their beliefs. The independent polling, conducted from 1 – 16 March by Compass Polling, demonstrated strong public support for the necessary elements of an authentic Christian school –
- Nearly 80% of Australians support the right of a religious school to employ teachers and other staff who support the clearly stated values and beliefs of the school. This rises to more than 90% amongst parents with children in a faith-based school.
- More than 90% of Christian school parents support terminating the employment of staff if they no longer share these beliefs.
- In the latest polling, over 80% of Australians believe that Australian laws should protect the right to hold and practice religious beliefs, this figure has been increasing since 2019. 98% of Australians actively practicing a faith say this should be protected.
- Over 90% of parents sending their children to faith-based schools and over 75% of all Australians support the right of a religious school to enforce standards of uniform and behaviour consistent with their values and beliefs.
- Similarly, over 70% of parents sending their children to faith-based schools support the right of a religious school to be able to teach students their values and beliefs about gender, sexuality and marriage, with this supported by a majority of all voters.
- 94% of all voters support the right of parents to choose a school that reflects their strongly held values and beliefs.
- The right of all students to receive some level of taxpayer funding was supported by 84% of all voters, consistent with previous results.
Christian school groups have welcomed the results, which build upon previous polling undertaken since 2019.
Christian Schools Australia (CSA), Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) and Associated Christian Schools (ACS) are calling on the Albanese Government to categorically reject the recommendations of the recent Australian Law Reform Commission report that would remove the ability to retain the right to employ staff who share the beliefs of the school.
AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng said the results “are a clear reminder of the importance everyday Australians place on a fair go.”
“Parents across Australia are increasingly choosing to send their children to Christian schools. They understand that it is fair and reasonable for staff share the values and beliefs of the school, after all that’s what they are paying for when they choose our schools.”
ACS Executive Director Alistair Macpherson said that “International law and covenants, which Australia has ratified, recognise the importance of religious groups to be able to teach and practice their beliefs, and for parents to be able to choose schooling for children that aligns with their personal beliefs.”
He said that the results are a wakeup call for any government seeking to take away these rights, “Australians are clearly calling for protections for people of faith, it is time that governments listen and protect this fundamental human right”.
CSA Director of Public Policy Mark Spencer said, “Parents are investing in faith-based education, and clearly desiring that the schools can enforce the standards of the school around uniform and behaviour.”
“The support for being able to employ staff who share our beliefs is held across the political spectrum. Governments of all persuasions need to listen to what ordinary Australians are saying.”
