MEDIA RELEASE Freedom to choose – a basic Liberal principle

Liberal and National Opposition parties in NSW are denying parents the right to choose an alternative to Scripture classes in the state’s primary schools.

parents4ethics wants the Liberal and National parties to rethink their announcement, that they will reverse the NSW government’s decision to introduce ethics classes if they win the March state election. 

This is despite overwhelming parent support for the classes to be offered as an alternative to SRE.
The parent group is disappointed that the NSW Opposition is bowing to the vocal minority in the Anglican and Catholic Church’s hierarchy, and says that the Liberal and National parties are “out of touch with the mainstream parent community”. 

Tara Thomas of parents4ethics says that P&Cs at 130 public schools have voted unanimously or with overwhelming support for the introduction of the classes.  All school P&Cs that have voted, have voted in support, and the classes were also given extremely strong support at this year’s P&C Federation annual conference.

We are surprised that the Opposition is so blatantly ignoring the wishes of such a large section of the NSW school community and question their motives.” 

She says the decision pays scant regard to the rights of the 100,000 schoolchildren who opt out of scripture classes each week to be offered a meaningful alternative.

“Clearly the opposition leadership would prefer children without faith to spend their time colouring in, while those of faith get access to ethics during Scripture.”

Michele Corin from parents4ethics says, “to not listen to the parents is an insult… it is a slap in the face, but more importantly the children are the losers with this decision”.

“We live in a democracy so why is giving people a choice so unusual?  I am not against Scripture, I just want every child to have a choice to learn something instead of nothing.  It will benefit us all as a community.”

The release of a very positive independent assessment into ethics classes, by a South Australian academic, resulted in 745 submissions to the government with only 15 of these against the proposal – an overwhelming 98 per cent of respondents in favour.

parents4ethics calls on P&Cs throughout the state to urgently consider the impact of the Opposition’s decision on their school communities and to continue to pass appropriate motions so that all politicians are fully aware of their attitudes to this important initiative. 

“We have come so far by achieving the right to ensure our young people can be offered a realistic alternative to SRE classes.  It is a shame that the alternative government in this state now wants to deny them this choice.” says Corin.

 Tara Thomas, parents4ethics : 0417 457 048

Michele Corin, parents4ethics : 0418 448 083 

Please contact Tara Thomas or Michele Corin or contact@parents4ethics.org with any other questions or if you would like to talk to a parent from your local area.

We have a database of parents happy to talk to the media.