Luke Simpkins (Cowan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to speak about the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program. Leading up to the budget I received many emails about this from parents, particularly from Woodvale Primary School. After the funding for this program was announced in the budget, Pearsall Primary School also contacted me for support in trying to get a chaplain. The chaplains throughout the schools of Cowan are extraordinarily positive. They make a very strong contribution, and their activities are completely legitimate and above board. A great example was a few years ago at Hudson Park Primary School, where the then chaplain, Shirley Pyrc, wrote one of the best school songs I have ever heard. They do make an excellent contribution.

I know that some people make allegations about chaplains, and make suggestions about evangelical activity, but I have never seen this and nor have I had a complaint even alleging it in Cowan. Overwhelmingly, the support for the program is extremely strong, and I hope that the High Court decision will enable it to continue. In any case, I look forward to the government providing due support to allow the positive contribution of chaplains to continue within the Cowan electorate.