RUDD BUDGET LEAVES CHAPLAINS OUT

The Rudd Government has failed to maintain the National School Chaplaincy Program in the Federal Budget, delivering a blow to school communities across Australia.

Despite figures showing that 97% of school principals who have engaged a chaplain strongly support the program and its subsequent benefits to their school community, the Government has not committed additional funding to this.

A number of schools within the electorate of Mayo have contacted my office to express their deep concerns and want the Government to come clean and make their intentions for the funding clear.

Chaplains play a valuable role in schools, supporting students and school communities by offering pastoral care and guidance across religious denominations and beliefs, with their beliefs representative of the school communities they work in.

In particular, the National School Chaplaincy Program helps students with behavioural problems and those who face social difficulties. Bullying in schools and loneliness is not uncommon and the program actively helps students faced with these challenges.

Schools are given the option to hire part-time chaplains and over 1,900 schools Australia wide have taken up this great opportunity.

The Federal Liberal Party has already committed $165 million to continue the School Chaplaincy Program over the forward estimates if elected this year, securing its future. 

Students should not have to miss out on exposure to the guidance a school chaplain can offer, just because of an incompetent Rudd Labor Government.