Yours Sincerely, The Hon. Martin Dixon

Yours Sincerely, The Hon. Martin Dixon

May 26, 2011 · by em · in ,

Updated post: I’ve included my emails to Martin Dixon this time. True to form, I cringe slightly at the words I wrote last month but unlike my novels I don’t get to redraft these, so you’ll have to take them for the naive but heartfelt missives they are. Feel free to offer some constructive criticism.

 

If you would like your very own copy of a Martin Dixon form letter, please email:

 

Me to Martin:

 

(17th April / & re-sent on 8th May)

Dear Mr Dixon,

You were recently quoted as saying that your department had no intention of reviewing the policy on SRI in Victorian schools – as your average, non-Christian, Melbourne parent, that came as a real blow. I’m a believer in the state school system; I’m not a member of any religious group and I’m not interested in criticising those who are, but what I do believe in is the concept of ‘fairness’ – and I strongly believe that the current legislation is failing to uphold that standard by forcing schools to hold SRI during “class time”.

Many parents only allow their children to attend these classes because they do not want the stigma of the “opt out” option. Like me, they don’t want to knock anyone’s belief system, but they would prefer that state education and religion were two separate things – at the moment, one seems to be holding the other to ransom. I ask you, as a religious man (I was raised Catholic so I believe we have had a similar education in this respect) – is holding families to ransom the way Christians should spread the word?

I ask you to take an open-minded approach to the current debate and appreciate that it is average Victorian families with their own very valid set of ethics, not just anti-religion groups, who are desperate for you to review the policy.

Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Emily Gale

_____________________

 

(15th May)

 

Dear Mr Dixon,
I first wrote to you on 17th April (see below). I find I have cause to write to you again in light of recent developments regarding the Australian Education Union’s stance on the current unjust system of SRI in Victorian state schools. With this endorsement by a union that represents 46,000 educational professionals, I am sure you can no longer insist that you have no intention of reviewing the policy, but I would like to know exactly what you intend to do – anything less than a firm and swift change will surely reveal your personal religious agenda in this matter.

The evidence against ACCESS is overwhelming. Evonne Paddison cannot make a speech to one set of people and deny its meaning to another – ACCESS see state schools as their mission field. Either you ask them to defy God, or they defy the legislation – they cannot have it both ways.
My family would like to see the Education Act amended, in line with the aims set out by FIRIS:

1. Remove the “Hobson’s Choice” that you currently call the alternative to attending Christian classes – ie. dividing the class into Christians and Other, the Other being made to leave the room and do nothing.
2. Cease the practice of volunteer-run SRI during school hours.
3. Follow an objective, fair and balanced comparative syllabus for education about religion and beliefs.
4. Treat religious organisations who wish to offer classes outside of school hours with transparent and equitable policies.

I look forward to hearing about your plans.

Kind regards,

Emily Gale

 

Martin to me:

 

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