Chaplains back in schools
WA Education Minister Peter Collier will take up Canberra's offer of funding for school chaplains after the Abbott Government said it would circumvent a High Court ruling striking the program down.
The Federal Government has salvaged one of its pet programs by handing responsibility to the States for doling out the money.
Canberra will funnel money to the States as block grants for administering. Schools can apply to State-appointed panels for up to $20,000 to hire a chaplain ($24,000 in remote areas).
The chaplains are not allowed to proselytise and must respect, accept and be sensitive to other people's views, values and beliefs.
Mr Collier said he was "delighted" funding would be available for chaplains to the States.
