A Liberal member of the Victorian Parliament has called for state government funding to boost the activities of Christian missionary agency Korus Connect, which delivers scripture classes to a rapidly declining number of school students.
In a speech to parliament last week, Ann-Marie Hermans (pictured) MLC said Korus Connect required “continued financial support” to help it provide Special Religious Instruction (SRI) in public schools and to explore delivering SRE and chaplaincy services online.
According to the Hansard proof, Ms Hermans said Korus Connect was “facing enormous challenges” due to the state government’s policy on SRI, requiring that the religious indoctrination classes be held outside class time instead of disrupting the normal curriculum.
The SRI program has almost vanished since the Andrews government, in 2016, gave parents a real choice for their children to participate or not by moving the 30-minute scripture classes to outside class hours. With these classes now delivered during the lunch break, or before or after school, participation numbers have crashed from 93,000 students in 2013 to just 1,000 in 2023.
“Korus Connect is facing enormous challenges due to this state government’s position on religious instruction in schools. All the organisation is asking for is an assurance that the government will provide additional funding through a fairer funding process to allow for the continued support of Victorian students,” said Ms Hermans, reportedly a member of the party’s religious right.
“Minister, the impact of supporting Korus Connect would be to help to improve academic achievement, mental health and social wellbeing for our students, who we know have suffered so much with the impacts of COVID and the lockdowns.
“These programs also foster a sense of community within schools and strengthen connections between the school and the wider community. Korus Connect’s work in Victorian education is invaluable; it addresses needs that are incredibly important to the Victorian people.”
According to the charity regulator’s website, Korus Connect – also known as The Council For Christian Education In Schools – recorded almost $7 million in revenue in 2023, and almost $7.5 million in expenses. While Ms Hermans called for “additional” funding, Korus did not report government funding in 2023.
The speech indicates ongoing support among Victorian Liberal MPs for Christian missionary activities in public schools. Before the 2018 election, the Liberal Opposition, backed by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), promised to return SRI to class time, claiming that the policy was “not about proselytising”.
Under the leadership of John Pesutto, a number of Liberals this year fronted the ACL’s social media campaign calling for the state parliament to continue imposing exclusively Christian prayers at the opening of each day’s proceedings.
Ms Hermans pointed to her party’s work in pressuring the Labor Party to back down from its commitment on removing prayers from parliament.
“The Liberal-Nationals have fought, with the advocacy of numerous multicultural and faith communities, and been able so far to retain the Lord’s Prayer during parliamentary proceedings in this chamber, because we understand the importance faith has for many of our groups in our community,” she said.
“We must embrace and respect all of our faith communities, ensuring their presence is acknowledged. We also have a duty as elected representatives to uphold traditions that honour the faith and diversity of our constituents.”
The Rationalist Society of Australia is actively lobbying for secular reform of scripture programs in public schools. Follow our campaign here.
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Si Gladman is Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia. He also hosts ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast.
Image: Ann-Marie Hermans MP (Facebook)