On 20 June 2012 the High Court of Australia handed down its judgment in Ronald Williams v The Commonwealth of Australia [2012] HCA 23. The majority held that a funding agreement between the Commonwealth and Scripture Union Queensland for the provision of chaplaincy services and payments under the agreement were invalid because it was neither supported directlly by a vote of the Parliament nor is it provided for via Australia’s Constitution.<\/p>\n
Excellent analysis of the High Court decision by James Oakley, here.<\/a> Read the High Court ruling here<\/a>.\u00a0Responses from SU Queensland<\/a> and SU Tasmania<\/a>.<\/p>\n Subsequently, the Government has passed legislation which continues\u00a0funding for the chaplaincy program. See, SU QLD media release, Parliament says chaplains are here to stay<\/a>.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen whether the Commonwealth\u2019s solution will avoid further legal challenges in the longer term. Clarifying school\u00a0chaplaincy<\/a> is a vital issue.<\/p>\n Please lift up our Chaplains, funding and Chaplaincy programs to the Lord in prayer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On 20 June 2012 the High Court of Australia handed down its judgment in Ronald Williams v The Commonwealth of Australia [2012] HCA 23. The majority held that a funding agreement between the Commonwealth and Scripture Union Queensland for the … Continue reading