Weekend Wrap for 9 March 2025

NT: The Northern Territory Government, led by the newly elected Country Liberal Party (CLP), has confirmed plans to repeal a significant clause in the Territory’s anti-discrimination laws, introduced by the previous Labor government, to "restore freedom of speech and religion." The decision reverses measures that had prohibited behaviour deemed offensive, and restricted religious schools from hiring based on faith alignment, moves welcomed by the LGBTQIA+ community but opposed by religious groups who felt their freedoms were curtailed. Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby stated that the changes, promised before the election, aim to protect Territorians from having their speech policed while also reinstating religious schools’ rights to employ individuals of the same faith. (2 Mar 2025)
Read more at ABC News

WA: Dr Thomas Brough, the controversial Liberal candidate for Albany, sparked debate during a campaign event by calling for a review of Western Australia’s abortion laws, stating, “babies born alive should not be left to die,” despite the party’s official stance against such a review. Appearing alongside WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam, who later distanced herself from his comments, Brough’s remarks overshadowed a $5 million health campus pledge and reignited tensions from his prior inflammatory claims linking the LGBTQIA+ community to paedophilia. Labor Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson accused Mettam of lacking control over her party’s “extreme right” and called for Brough’s resignation. (2 Mar 2025)
Read more at OUTinPerth

NSW: New South Wales has became the latest Australian state to sign a landmark education funding agreement with the federal government, securing an additional $4.8 billion over ten years for its public schools under the "Better and Fairer Schools Agreement." This deal, which aligns with the Gonski review’s 2012 recommendations, increases the Commonwealth’s contribution to 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2034, complementing NSW’s commitment to reach 75% of the SRS by 2025. Celebrated by federal Education Minister Jason Clare as a significant step towards equitable funding, the agreement leaves Queensland as the only state yet to join. NSW Premier Chris Minns hailed it as a transformative move to rebuild public education, reversing years of underfunding that had led to over 3,000 teacher vacancies and 10,000 daily merged classes. (3 Mar 2025)
Read more at ABC News

NT: The union representing teachers and support staff in Northern Territory non-government schools has condemned the NT government's plans to reverse changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act passed by the previous government. Three years ago the former Labor government of the Territory reformed the Act to remove religious discrimination exemptions that allowed non-government school employers to discriminate against staff and students. Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the decision to reinstate the religious discrimination exemptions was unacceptable. "The reinstatement of religious discrimination exemptions is unnecessary, divisive and harmful," Mr Burke said. "Staff and students in schools should not be discriminated against on the basis of their personal lives." (4 Mar 2025)
Read more at the National Indigenous Times

VIC: The Victorian government is contemplating the introduction of "safe access zones" around places of worship to curb protests, a move prompted by a surge in antisemitic incidents. The legislative proposal aims to combat antisemitism and extremism by potentially banning protests near religious sites, prohibiting face coverings such as balaclavas at demonstrations, and outlawing symbols of terrorist groups. While supported by some Jewish community leaders for enhancing safety, the plan has drawn criticism from some, who argue it risks infringing on democratic rights to protest and may prevent clerical abuse survivors and their supporters from tying ribbons to church fences. The government has acknowledged these concerns and committed to consulting with stakeholders to refine the policy. (4 Mar 2025)
Read more at the Rationalist Society of Australia

NSW: The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay has implemented a program called "Teen Ministry" where high school students aged 16 and above are trained to teach Special Religious Education (SRE) classes to younger students in public schools. While proponents argue this initiative engages youth in faith leadership, critics, including parents and secular education advocates, have raised concerns about the appropriateness of teens teaching religion and the potential for proselytising in public schools. The situation has reignited debates about the role of religious education in secular public schools and whether current policies adequately protect students' rights and interests. (7 Mar 2025)
Read more at the Rationalist Society of Australia

WA: Catholic Education WA have said that the latest census data confirms enrolments at the state’s Catholic schools grew by 1.9 per cent over the last year – the largest 12-month growth in a decade. In the lead-up to the state election, Catholic Education WA has "continued to urge the incoming State government to provide equitable funding for those families who choose a faith-based education." (Private schools in WA were overfunded by $425 per student in 2024 while public school students were underfunded by $1,864.) (7 Mar 2025)
Read more at CathNews