Make A Difference in Australia Today!

HSLDA is organizing an e-mail blitz to 131 members of the Victorian (State) Parliament in Australia. They will be voting Monday on legislation that would implement stricter regulations on homeschoolers in the country. The relatively few homeschoolers in Australia are not currently organized and so have very little leverage in their government. What a great opportunity for homeschoolers throughout America to act on behalf of their fellow homeschoolers overseas by participating in this e-mail blitz! If you haven't already, I encourage you to do so. It's easy to do and will only take a minute or two.

In an e-mail requesting action, Chris Klicka relays ways that American homeschoolers have been effective with such efforts in the past:

In the past, U.S. homeschoolers have had similar opportunities to help struggling families in other countries. We have seen some dramatic results.

South Africa: two homeschool parents were freed from prison and,
eventually, homeschooling was legalized.

Germany: a case against a homeschool family was dropped.

Ireland: home visit legislation was defeated.

I just sent off this e-mail and am praying that the Lord will use all of our efforts to intervene on behalf of current and future homeschoolers in Australia.

Dear Member of Parliament,

It has come to my attention that Section 2.1.1(b) and Section 4.3.9 of the proposed Education Bill would require home educators to register and comply with the Department of Education administrative regulations. If this is passed homeschoolers will be subject to arbitrary regulations by the Department of Education. This is an unnecessary infringement on the rights of parents to educate their children. I urge you to remove this regulation from the bill and also amend Section 2.1.1(b) so that the attendance requirements are in line with current legislation of the Community Service Act of 1970. This legislation already allows the Victorian government to prosecute families if they are not doing a good job of delivering "regular and efficient instruction" as is mandated by the code requiring homeschoolers to provide "regular and efficient instruction." This current law in Victoria is similar to laws in the various states in the United States.

As one who was homeschooled and is actively involved in the education of homeschoolers, I can testify that homeschooling does work! I have seen homeschoolers accomplish amazing feats in many realms of academia and beyond because of the dedication of parents who were free to educate them in the way they deemed best. Educational freedom is paramount to the future liberty and success of any nation that calls itself a free nation. Please let homeschooling remain free in Victoria.

Sincerely,
Natalie Wickham