Budget Attack on Christian Schools

My Christian School is deeply concerned that a Federal budget decision unfairly privileges a group that has been attacking the rights of Christian schools and Christian parents.

Buried within Budget Paper 2, the Albanese Government has named ‘Equality Australia’ as recipients of special consideration to gain tax deductible status.

Over the past year, Equality Australia emerged as the main advocates for removing the exemptions that protect the Christian character of Christian schools.

Since the Prime Minister took the ALRC recommendations and the Religious Discrimination bill off the table, he, his staff and like-minded MPs within the government have continued to work closely with Equality Australia on reworking the party’s proposals.

Under current rules, ‘Equality Australia’ would not be eligible as they engage in direct political advocacy, as is evident in their first ‘key initiative’.  In fact, they have tried and failed to obtain DGR status in the past.

However, the government is proposing to bypass the court’s decision to deny them DGR status and introduce a special amendment into tax law to grant them charitable deductible gift recipient status.

This gives them a significant advantage, enabling them to raise funds in larger quantities from a larger pool of donors.

This decision to give Equality Australia charitable status represents:
a) An unfair and unjust advantage in fundraising for one political advocacy group, and
b) A direct disadvantage to other political advocacy groups campaigning for rights for Christian parents, and
c) An underhanded attack by the Albanese government against all faith-based schools in Australia.

Over the last 5 years, Christian school enrolments have grown by more than 18%, far outstripping any increases at public schools.

Parents are voting with their feet for a Christian education.

This Federal Government attack on fairness in our taxation system is a sneaky attack on Christian education in Australia.

Let the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer know that you do not support this move using the campaign tool below.