No major problems with chaplaincy: Garrett

The Commonwealth Ombudsman's report into the national school chaplaincy program found no major problems with the scheme, according to Minister for Education, Peter Garrett.

Mr Garret said the Ombudsman had made some useful recommendation which had the broad agreement of his department.

“It's important to note that today's report found no major problems with the scheme. It should also be made clear that many of the issues raised by the Ombudsman have already been identified by the government,” Mr Garrett said.

"We know there is room for improvement in some of the administrative aspects of the scheme, and work is already under way," he said in a statement.

Recommendations of Ombudsman Allan Asher included asking the federal government to mandate a minimum qualification for school chaplains.

As well, Mr Asher said the education department must improve its management of school chaplaincy, review the chaplaincy code of conduct and clarify what would be considered a breach of the requirement that chaplains not proselytise.

Complaint procedures need to be strengthened, Mr Asher recommended and guidelines should more clearly define the terms "chaplain" and "pastoral care".

Mr Asher said his review was of the program's implementation and that its merit was for the government to consider.

The report was prompted by the Northern Territory ombudsman's investigation into complaints about the chaplaincy program in five NT schools.

Scripture Union Queensland chief executive Tim Mander said he was confident the chaplaincy minimum requirement already set by his organisation would exceed any standard the government might put in place.

"Most of the things that he's mentioned have already been dealt with by the major employing agencies," he said.

Mr Mander said school chaplains had strong community support and he would welcome any clarification of guidelines that would give the public more confidence in chaplains' work.

Greens education spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young supported the ombudsman's recommendations, saying the way the program was administered now could put young people at risk.

Chaplaincy program legal challenge

The national school chaplaincy program which received $222 million in this month's Federal Budget, is to be challenged as 'unconstitutional' in the High Court.
While Australia's constitution does not separate church and state, section 116, says the Commonwealth cannot make any law for 'establishing any religion', 'imposing any religious observance' or 'prohibiting the free exercise of any religion'. Section 116 also says 'no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth'.

A Queensland parent, Ron Williams, is relying on this in mounting his challenge. He argues the program is invalid because it sets a religious test for anyone who wishes to be a Commonwealth-funded chaplain.

Read more in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Victoria to increase funds for Christian classes

The Victorian government will boost funding to Christian education classes in schools in the budget, with Education Minister Martin Dixon ruling out changes to the controversial program.
Mr Dixon said Christian education provider Access Ministries would receive an extra $200,000 a year from July 1 for training, administration and the supervision of volunteer instructors.
While other courses, including Baha'i, Greek Orthodox and Islamic, are also accredited, Access Ministries runs 96 per cent of special religious instruction classes in Victoria.
The funding boost comes as Access Ministries called on Christians to take urgent action, saying its very foundation was being challenged by a court case that questioned the Education Department's guidelines on the teaching of faith in schools.
Read more in The Age: