The ACT Government is taking urgent legislative action to facilitate continuity of education for students of Brindabella Christian College.
This morning the ACT Government intends to introduce the Education Amendment Bill 2025 (the Bill), as an urgent Bill, which would amend the Education Act 2004 to address an identified issue relating to when a non-government school seeks a change to their registration.
While this amendment would be important for all non-government schools, the urgency of this Bill is to ensure Brindabella Christian College can continue to operate.
"As Minister, it is always my preference to keep schools open and operating for students," Minister for Education and Early Childhood Yvette Berry said.
"Brindabella Christian Education Limited, the proprietor of Brindabella Christian College, is currently under voluntary administration. Deloitte, the Administrators, have advised the school community that the only option to keep the school open is to transfer the school to a new proprietor.
"The financial position of the school is such that an urgent transfer is required and the Administrators are progressing the sale of the school as an urgent priority in order to ensure continuity of education for more than 1,000 students.
"Under the current legislation, the transferring of a school's registration from one proprietor to another would trigger a 60-day public consultation period.
"However, the current situation with Brindabella Christian College is such that observing this full 60 day period would likely mean that the school's finances are exhausted, resulting in closure of the school and a significant negative impact on the students, staff and families of this school community.
"I have said many times throughout this process that I don't want to see this school close – that's why we are taking this action.
"If passed this amendment would enable me, as Minister, to reduce the 60 day public consultation period when a non-government school requests a change in their registration, when it is reasonably necessary to do so. In the case of Brindabella, this amendment would enable the prompt transfer of the school to a new proprietor with the least impact on school operations.
"Importantly, the public consultation period could not be waived entirely, and the 60 days remains as the default period of consultation. In extreme circumstances such as this though, the amendment would enable a shortened period, for example when time is critical to prevent the closure of a school. To be very clear, the reduction in consultation could only be considered in circumstances where the non-government school has requested a change to their registration.
"Without this urgent legislative intervention the future of Brindabella Christian College would be at significant risk. We must take this action now in order to give the best chance of continuity for students, staff, families and the community."
