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Election Scorecard

Election Scorecard

22 April 2025

Christian school communities—your vote matters. AACS asked the major parties where they stand on key issues affecting Christian schools, including:- Fair funding- Parental rights - Religious staffing protections- Tax-deductible school building donations
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Federal Election Campaign: Securing the Future of Christian Schools in Australia

Federal Election Campaign: Securing the Future of Christian Schools in Australia

21 April 2025

The Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) is calling for commitments from political parties in three key areas: Sustainable School Funding: that is fair and equitable, allowing Christian schools to continue providing high-quality education…
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Education Round Table with Federal MP Luke Gosling

Education Round Table with Federal MP Luke Gosling

10 April 2025

AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng recently took part in a Round Table discussion with Federal Labor Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling. The event was hosted by Independent Schools Australia (ISA) and the Australian…
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Victorian Anti Vilification Laws Raise Concerns for Christian Schools

Victorian Anti Vilification Laws Raise Concerns for Christian Schools

2 April 2025

In the early hours of 2 April 2025, the Victorian Parliament passed the'Anti-Villification' Bill which included amendments introduced by the Greens. During the consultation on the Bill, faith leaders raised concerns the impact of proposed changes on freedom of speech and AACS raised…
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Advocacy and Policy Summit

Advocacy and Policy Summit

31 March 2025

The inagural AACS Advocacy & Policy Summit was a fantastic event, bringing together Christian School leaders from across the country at a critical time ahead of the federal election. Attendees…
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AACS Launches 2025 Election Policy Platform at NSW Parliament House

AACS Launches 2025 Election Policy Platform at NSW Parliament House

21 March 2025

On Friday, 21 March, the Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) officially launched its 2025 Federal Election Policy Platform at the AACS Advocacy and Policy Summit at NSW Parliament House. The event brought together over 130 Christian school leaders, policymakers and…
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Warm welcome received from NT Attorney General

Warm welcome received from NT Attorney General

6 March 2025

AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng joined with faith leaders from the Catholic, Lutheran and Greek Orthodox communities for a roundtable discussion with Attorney General Marie-Clare Boothby MLA about the value of faith-based schools in the Northern Territory. Thank you for your…
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NT Chief Minister’s Commitment to Protect Religious Schools Welcomed

NT Chief Minister’s Commitment to Protect Religious Schools Welcomed

12 February 2025

The Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) warmly welcomed today’s announcement by the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Hon. Lia Finocchiaro, to address the controversial changes made by the previous Labor Government to the Anti-Discrimination…
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Christian School Concerns About Hate Crimes Bill

Christian School Concerns About Hate Crimes Bill

6 February 2025

Executive Officer, Vanessa Cheng, has written to the federal Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus expressing concerns about the government’s Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024 in relation to its potential impact on free speech and religious expression.
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AACS Advocacy & Policy Summit

AACS Advocacy & Policy Summit

2 January 2025

AACS are pleased to announce the launch of our inaugral Advocacy and Policy Summit. With a federal election around the corner, this is a crucial time to be speaking up for parental choice in education and the freedom to employ Christian teachers and staff. …
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Priority of Children’s Safety in Australia’s Media Landscape

Priority of Children’s Safety in Australia’s Media Landscape

13 November 2024

AACS along with nine other prominent Australian organizations and experts, who advocate for children's welfare and family-friendly media, have provided a Position Statement to the review of the Commercial…
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Proactive Measures taken to resolve conflict in Christian Schools

Proactive Measures taken to resolve conflict in Christian Schools

7 November 2024

Vanessa Cheng, AACS Executive Officer and David Gillman, CEO of Christian Schools Tasmania spoke at the Public Hearing on the Inquiry into Discrimination and Bullying in Tasmanian Schools in Hobart last week. Vanessa and David provided evidence to the committee about…
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National Prayer Breakfast 2024

National Prayer Breakfast 2024

4 November 2024

AACS Board Members and Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng hosted two tables at the annual National Prayer Breakfast which was held at Parliament House in Canberra at the start of the November Sitting Week. The story of ‘grace’ was well received by the politicians and VIPs who attended. Pictured…
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Concerns about Misinformation Bill

Concerns about Misinformation Bill

10 October 2024

Could posting a Bible verse be cancelled as "disinformation" under the federal Government's proposed Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill. The proposed law would give the Australian Communications and Media Authority powers to…
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Independent Schools Snapshot

Independent Schools Snapshot

9 October 2024

Independent Schools Australia (ISA) Snapshot of key characteristics shows that 82% of Independent schools have a religious affiliation. The report also estimates that recurrent savings to governments from across the entire Independent school sector is $7.1 billion per annum. You…
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Vision Radio Interview

Vision Radio Interview

23 September 2024

AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng was recently inteviewed on Vision Radio Network by Neil Johnson on 20Twenty Podcasts. Vanessa shared the results of the
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Changing Hearts and Minds

Changing Hearts and Minds

18 September 2024

AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng was a keynote speaker at the Association of Christian Schools International Public Policy and Advocacy Summit in Washington…
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Inquiry into Bullying in Schools in Tasmania

Inquiry into Bullying in Schools in Tasmania

11 September 2024

A report by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) revealed that Australian students exposure to bullying behaviours was higher than the OECD average and that students in Tasmania reported greater levels of bullying behaviours than students in all jurisdictions. In…
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Welcome New Member School

Welcome New Member School

11 September 2024

AACS is delighted to announce a new Member School to our Association. William Carey Christian School is a non-denominational Christian School from Prep to Year 12, located in Prestons NSW. The school’s motto “Expect great things from…
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Foundations of Faith Staff Survey

Foundations of Faith Staff Survey

2 September 2024

MEDIA RELEASE 2 September 2024 An alliance of Christian school associations has today released significant findings from its survey of over 5,000 teaching and non-teaching staff across Christian…
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Northern Territory Election Result Provides Faith for the Future

Northern Territory Election Result Provides Faith for the Future

24 August 2024

Northern Territory Election Result Provides Faith for the Future The Australian Association of Christian Schools congratulates the leader of the Country Liberal Party, Lia Finocchiaro, on the successful election result in the Northern Territory. A…
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Meeting with Queensland Attorney General

Meeting with Queensland Attorney General

2 July 2024

It was wonderful that AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng could meet Queensland Attorney General Hon. Yvette D’ath along with colleagues from Christian Schools Australia and Associated Christian Schools to discuss the
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Parliamentary Friends of Religious Schools and Faith Communities Event

Parliamentary Friends of Religious Schools and Faith Communities Event

24 June 2024

It was a packed event at the second Parliamentary Friends of Religious Schools and Faith Communities gathering this week. Over thirty Senators and MPs attended along with key leaders of religious schools associations. Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition,…
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Good news from Queensland

Good news from Queensland

18 June 2024

The Hon. Yvette D'Ath, the Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence introduced the Respect…
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The International Context for Religious Freedom

The International Context for Religious Freedom

30 May 2024

Professor Mark Fowler delivered a speech at the Christian Schools National Policy Forum in Canberra today comparing the consistency of the Australian Law Reform Commission's Report recommendations with Australia’s…
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Polling Shows Support For Christian Schools

Polling Shows Support For Christian Schools

02 April 2024

Recent polling of the Australian public has reaffirmed the extensive backing for Christian schools and their entitlement to uphold their beliefs. The independent polling, conducted from 1 – 16 March by Compass Polling, demonstrated strong public support for the necessary…
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Open Letter sent to the Prime Minister with Response to ALRC Report

Open Letter sent to the Prime Minister with Response to ALRC Report

22 March 2024

Vanessa Cheng, Executive Officer at AACS signed an Open Letter along with leaders from many faith communities to Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, the Prime Minister of Australia, sharing that we are are deeply disappointed with the proposed reforms outlined by the Australian Law Reform…
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Meeting with Hon Ed Husic MP

Meeting with Hon Ed Husic MP

23 February 2024

Executive Officer, Vanessa Cheng met with Hon Ed Husic MP, the Federal Minister for Industry and Science, at Tyndale Christian School in Blacktown NSW. The Principal, Rebecca Hall had invited the Minister to see the progress of their new Science Building Project and to…
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OPINION: Australia used to be a human rights champion. What happened, what next?

OPINION: Australia used to be a human rights champion. What happened, what next?

21 January 2024

As a key player in the negotiations to the United Nations Declaration, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023, Australia wholeheartedly subscribed to its text and its spirit.  The drafters of the Declaration undertook the task of drafting the human rights principles…
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Meeting with Attorney General

Meeting with Attorney General

14 November 2023

AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng met with Attorney General Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, MP to discuss ALRC and Religious Freedom. The meeting was also attended by Mark Spencer from Christian Schools Australia; Alistair Macpherson, from Associated Christian Schools; John Metcalfe, representing…
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The Importance of Religious Schools Recognised

The Importance of Religious Schools Recognised

13 November 2023

AACS welcomed the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Religious Schools and Faith Communities in Canberra on Monday, providing an opportunity for Parliamentarians across all political parties to gather and discuss issues of importance to the fastest growing…
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Thank you to our Christian School Teachers

Thank you to our Christian School Teachers

27 October 2023

We are thankful for the faith and dedication of Christian school teachers who play a crucial role in shaping the lives of their students. They are not only as educators but also mentors and role models who exemplify faith, compassion, and dedication. Senator for Western…
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Specialised not Segregated

Specialised not Segregated

13 October 2023

The recent release of the Disability Royal Commission Report has prompted many responses to its findings, particularly on the prospect of phasing out special schools. Mrs Dianne Dowson, Director of 
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A Conversation on the Challenges Facing Christian Schools

A Conversation on the Challenges Facing Christian Schools

25 July 2023

Vanessa Cheng from the Australian Association of Christian Schools and Stephen McAlpine from City to City Australia recently had a four-part conversation on the challenges facing Christian schools…
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Why do parents choose Christian schools?

Why do parents choose Christian schools?

11 April 2023

Our AACS Executive Officer, Vanessa Cheng recently wrote an article for Education Australia about why an increasing number of parents are choosing Christian Schools if fewer Australians identify as Christians. It also clearly explains why AACS has been calling upon the Federal…
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National Poll on Attitudes to Christian Schools

National Poll on Attitudes to Christian Schools

16 November 2022

New research shows large support for religious schools in Australia and for legal protections for those schools to remain authentic religious communities in support of parents to choose the education they want for their children. The latest research shows: Three…
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Cardus Report shows support for religious freedom protections

Cardus Report shows support for religious freedom protections

2 June 2022

New research shows growing support for religious freedom laws in Australia, with  strong calls for the Albanese Government to re-introduce religious anti-discrimination legislation to Parliament. The latest research shows: Three out…
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Cardus Education Survey

Cardus Education Survey

July 2020

Please join us for the launch of the Cardus Education Survey Australia Project. Join host, Mark McCrindle, Cardus Executive Vice President, Ray Pennings, and Assistant Professor, Albert Cheng, as they launch the landmark findings…
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What only a parent can tell you about Christian education

What only a parent can tell you about Christian education

"I’m at a cross-country carnival today. Roadrunner (my daughter) is running 2km. A small number of steps for this child, but a giant amount of steps for her mother. I don’t run - unless there is a cockroach, and then I could qualify for the Olympics. Roadrunner tells me that during…
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