To the Honourable the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives

WE the petitioners are a group of concerned citizens of Australia. WE wish to draw the attention of the House to the current discussion regarding the National School Chaplaincy Programme. WE recogniseChaplains play a valuable role in schools, supporting students and school communities by offering pastoral care and guidance in schools.

We wish to thank your Government for your support of the chaplaincy programme and we are asking you to keep this vital programme alive. We strongly believe in the need to preserve the existing model for the chaplaincy program for the school community. We believe that the role that a chaplain has in being able to get alongside troubled teenagers is very important.

Recently our local newspaper featured an article concerning an alcoholic teenager whose life was spiralling out of control. It was the intervention of a chaplain that made him realise the path he was taking would only lead to disaster. There countless stories of how young people have been helped through the wise council of a caring chaplain.

We therefore ask the House to do all in your power to preserve the existing model for the chaplaincy program, ensuring the special pastoral care services a chaplain brings to a school community is retained

from 24 citizens