Scientology in Schools

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Deputy Premier and the minister representing the Minister for Education on the topic of school funding arrangements to Scientology-linked organisations in schools.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Yesterday, The Daily Telegraph reported on the Newtown Scientology-linked Athena School in New South Wales. To quote from The Daily Telegraph:

Financial figures published by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) show state and federal funding for The Athena School rose 348 per cent between 2014 and 2023—the latest year for which data is available—despite a 70 per cent increase in enrolments over the same period.

It has received almost $5 million since 2014, with the lion’s share paid out by the Commonwealth at more than $3.9 million over ten years, while the NSW government has given the school…over $1 million.

My question to the minister representing the Minister for Education therefore is:

1. Is the minister aware of any funding being provided in South Australia to Scientology-linked organisations that provide education in our schools?

2. Will the government conduct an investigation into this matter to rule it out?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:50): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this area, and I certainly will pass those questions on to the minister responsible in another place, the Hon. Blair Boyer, the member for Wright, and bring back a reply.