By Ben McEachenWednesday 7 Feb 2024Hope MorningsNewsReading Time: 2 minutes
Scripture classes and building projects at faith-based schools should have their tax-deductible status removed, according to Australia’s Productivity Commission.
These significant changes are part of recommendations to the Federal Government about overhauling Australia’s DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) system.
By Friday, February 9, businesses and members of the public can submit their comments on these proposed changes.
Murray Norman is CEO of Better Balanced Futures, an advocate for Special Religious Education (SRE) for all faith groups in New South Wales public schools.
“This would mean no tax deductibility for supporting religious education in public schools, and also [no] tax deductibility for building funds within faith-based schools,” Murray told Hope Mornings.
Faith-based schools represent one third of schools across Australia, Murray said.
The Productivity Commission’s proposed changes to SRE and faith-based schools are grounded in its perception of the greater good.
“They want to do things that cover the whole community and there were question marks raised about whether private school building funds and Special Religious Education had an ‘all of community’ benefit.”
Murray was part of a delegation of religious leaders who met this week in Canberra with Federal politicians, including Education Minister Jason Clare and Andrew Leigh (Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury).
Ahead of the February 9 deadline for submissions about the proposed changes, Murray shared reasons why tax deductibility should remain for SRE and building projects at faith-based schools.
“Religious education in [public] schools is to provide for all students,” Murray said.
“Whether you have a faith or not, that’s not the point of the Special Religious Education classes.
“Those classes are for asking big questions of faith, to explore through holy teachings – and for Christians, that is the Bible – and for young people to make decisions for themselves.
“That’s a really important thing that happens in schools.
“Every week, 11,500 teachers teaching [SRE] in NSW’s schools and 430,000 students.
“That’s a great service for the State.”
Murray said the loss of tax deductibility would significantly impact financial support for SRE or building projects at faith-based schools.
“It would dramatically reduce the amount of funds available,” Murray said.
“Some people, through the way they have set up their giving, can only give to tax deductible places.”
Listen to the full interview with Murray Norman in the player above.
Feature image: Photo by Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash