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Several principals of Catholic schools in Victoria won’t distribute a Catholic Education Commission letter that warns against voting for the Greens.
The commission wrote to tens of thousands of Victorian parents at some 100 schools last week.
The letter, from CEC chief executive Stephen Elder, claimed that the Greens’ education policies would result in less funding for Catholic students and potentially higher school fees.
The letter also warned that the Greens would stop religious exemptions for employment in Catholic schools.
Principals and school leaders have contacted the Greens, saying that they will not pass on Mr Elder’s letter.
One Catholic principal said it was not the role of a school to tell parents how to vote.
“I respect the adults in our school community to make up their own mind about who to vote for,” he told The Age.
“I didn’t see the point in us telling parents how to vote.
“I am sure they have made up their own minds already.”
The Greens have called on the commission to send another letter to families correcting its “misleading comments”.
The Greens accused the commission of ignoring the best interest of students and Catholic teachings.
Senator Nick McKim said the Greens’ policies on asylum seekers, global warming and the environment were more consistent with Catholic teaching than the major parties’ policies.
The senator suggested Mr Elder’s letter was motivated by his close association with the Liberal Party.
Mr Elder stood by what he stated in the letter.
He said the Greens would strip funding from non-government schools and repel religious exemptions for employment
He added that the Greens had ignored his requests to clarify its education policies.
Australia’s federal election is on July 2.
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