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SU hearing day three

8:31pm Thursday, 11th August 2011

Suzanne Schokman

11 August The High Court hearing on Federal funding for school chaplaincy ended today, with defendants, Scripture Union QLD and the Commonwealth making their presentations.

SU QLD CEO, Tim Mander, said that it was “highly complex, revolving around the key issue of Commonwealth power, and where it can spend its money.”

“If the plaintiff, Ronald Williams, loses the case, then the Commonwealth government can spend its money wherever it wants.”

“If he wins, it means that there must be some sort of legislation each time the federal government wants to spend money.”

Asked about the issue of the “religious test” when employing an officer of the Commonwealth, Mander said, “the Court did not seem to want to hear too much about it,” and he felt greatly encouraged by that.

Within 10 days, SA and Tasmania will put in written submissions indicating whether they support direct federal funding, after which the High Court will make its decision, later this year.

In the meantime, it’s “business as usual” for SU QLD, as they get ready to roll out the NSCP (National School Chaplaincy Program) for early 2012. One thousand new chaplains will also be introduced at the same time.

Mander says the chaplains’ position will not be affected by the High Court’s decision. “The chaplains will be funded; but how they’ll be funded – through Commonwealth or state - that’s left to be seen.”