Once again our polling has shown the overwhelming support for legislative protections of religious freedom.
As reported in The Australian, Plea for action as support grows for religious freedom laws, another national poll commissioned by Christian Schools Australia along with our colleagues at the Australian Association of Christian Schools and Associated Christian Schools, found that 75 per cent of respondents supported the right of a religious school to employ teachers who support stated values and beliefs of the schools.
The level of support rose to nearly 90% amongst parents with children in a faith-based school. In a new question in this polling, more than 60% of Christian school parents support terminating the employment of staff if they no longer share these beliefs.
The polling, conducted between October 24 and 26, also found that more than two thirds of respondents believed Australian laws should protect the right to hold and practice religious beliefs.
Not surprisingly, over 91% of those who actively practice a faith support these protections - but there was majority support even from those without a faith.
Parental choice in education is also strongly supported, 86% of all respondents, with similar support, 82%, for the right of all students to receive some taxpayer funding.
The results are consistent with polling conducted earlier in the year immediately after the Federal Election, and with the results from polling in 2021 and 2019.
While the polling shows clear public support for these rights and protections, as we saw earlier in the year, there is still the need to ensure that this results in political support.
The polling data in a double-sided A4 format can be downloaded from the link below.
October 2022 National Polling
Article from The Australian