In a significant victory for religious freedom in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stepped back from secret legislation that threatened to undermine the very foundation of Christian schools.

This decision comes after a massive campaign of resistance led by the Christian school community, alongside other faith leaders, who have fought tirelessly to preserve the right of parents to choose an education for their children that aligns with their beliefs.

At the heart of this battle is the fundamental question of whether Christian schools should be allowed to employ staff who share their faith and uphold the values that these schools are built upon.

For many parents, the ability to send their children to a school that not only teaches academic subjects but also reinforces the moral and spiritual values of their home is non-negotiable.

This right has been under threat since the legalisation of same-sex marriage, with subsequent attempts by political groups such as the misnamed Equality Australia to strip religious schools of their freedom.

Mark Spencer, Director of Public Policy at Christian Schools Australia, emphasized the importance of this victory but warned that the fight is far from over.

"The issue isn't resolved," Spencer told Family First National Director Lyle Shelton in an interview for ADH TV.

"What we're seeing around the states and territories is that activists, lawyers, and bureaucrats want to force our schools to take an approach to education that undermines their religious identity. They want to dictate who we can employ, rather than allowing us to maintain the authentic communities of faith that parents have chosen for their children."

The situation reached a boiling point earlier this year when it was revealed that the Albanese government had drafted legislation that would have effectively forced Christian schools to hire staff who do not share their beliefs.

This move was met with widespread opposition from faith-based communities across Australia, culminating in large public rallies that showcased the overwhelming support for religious schools.

"We had 4,200 people registered for those events across six states," Spencer noted. "These are people who are spending their own money to ensure their children receive an education consistent with their faith."

Despite the reprieve, Christian schools remain vulnerable due to the broader legal environment that has shifted since the changes to the Marriage Act and the weaponisation of the Sex Discrimination Act, which now includes the subjective term “gender identity”.

Spencer highlighted that while the immediate threat has been averted, the underlying issue persists.

"Activists want to tell us who we can teach in what positions, and they’re trying to force their view of how we should operate as Christian schools onto us. This isn’t just about employment—it's about our ability to teach what we believe and to maintain a culture that reflects and supports those beliefs."

The way forward, according to Spencer and other faith leaders, lies in securing a positive right for Christian schools to preference staff on the basis of their belief. This would ensure that these schools can continue to operate as authentic communities of faith, without interference from those who seek to impose a different ideology.

As Australia heads towards an election, the stakes are high. The future of faith-based education in this country depends on the willingness of politicians to protect the rights of religious schools to operate according to their values.

For now, the reprieve is a welcome relief, but the fight to secure lasting protections for religious freedom in education continues.

In the words of Spencer, "We just need governments to give us a fair go. It shouldn’t be that hard."

Indeed, the preservation of religious freedom is a cornerstone of Australian society, and it is crucial that this freedom is safeguarded for future generations.

ACTION: Join the fight for freedom of religion, join the Family First party today.