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| Islamic schools given 'final warning' over commonwealth funding | Islamic schools given 'final warning' over commonwealth funding |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The education minister, Simon Birmingham, has issued a “final warning” to four Islamic schools whose commonwealth funding is under review, telling them they must clean up their act by 11 April or face being cut off. | The education minister, Simon Birmingham, has issued a “final warning” to four Islamic schools whose commonwealth funding is under review, telling them they must clean up their act by 11 April or face being cut off. |
| The four schools – in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth – are accused of not being properly accountable for public funds. All four are affiliated with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (Afic). Another two Afic affiliated schools – in Sydney and Canberra – have already had their funding axed. | The four schools – in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth – are accused of not being properly accountable for public funds. All four are affiliated with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (Afic). Another two Afic affiliated schools – in Sydney and Canberra – have already had their funding axed. |
| Birmingham told reporters on Wednesday that the four schools under review have until 11 April to reform their governance structures and improve financial accountability. | Birmingham told reporters on Wednesday that the four schools under review have until 11 April to reform their governance structures and improve financial accountability. |
| “It is very clear that this is a last chance and a final warning that these four schools must ensure that they comply with the conditions that they have offered to the commonwealth,” he said. “I’m hopeful. These schools have cooperated with the work of the department, they’ve been responsive to it.” | “It is very clear that this is a last chance and a final warning that these four schools must ensure that they comply with the conditions that they have offered to the commonwealth,” he said. “I’m hopeful. These schools have cooperated with the work of the department, they’ve been responsive to it.” |
| In June, the federal government announced it would be auditing the six Afic-affiliated schools. | In June, the federal government announced it would be auditing the six Afic-affiliated schools. |
| Related: Malek Fahd school accused of unexplained payments to Islamic body and staff | Related: Malek Fahd school accused of unexplained payments to Islamic body and staff |
| The Sydney and Canberra schools did not cooperate with the department and consequently the commonwealth was forced to take the “tough action” of cutting off funding, Birmingham said. | The Sydney and Canberra schools did not cooperate with the department and consequently the commonwealth was forced to take the “tough action” of cutting off funding, Birmingham said. |
| “The responses from those schools has been completely unsatisfactory,” he said. | “The responses from those schools has been completely unsatisfactory,” he said. |
| Afic told Guardian Australia that it would appeal the decision to cut off school funding on the basis that it can comply with education standards in the future. | Afic told Guardian Australia that it would appeal the decision to cut off school funding on the basis that it can comply with education standards in the future. |
| “We are addressing all the concerns that the minister’s delegate has put forward,” said Wasim Raza, a spokesman for the organisation. | “We are addressing all the concerns that the minister’s delegate has put forward,” said Wasim Raza, a spokesman for the organisation. |
| Appeals must come from the school body that runs individual institutions rather than Afic. As of Wednesday afternoon, no notification of appeal on either the Sydney or Canberra school had been lodged with the education department. | Appeals must come from the school body that runs individual institutions rather than Afic. As of Wednesday afternoon, no notification of appeal on either the Sydney or Canberra school had been lodged with the education department. |
| Both cut-off schools still have the option of continuing without federal government funding. | Both cut-off schools still have the option of continuing without federal government funding. |
| “If they are capable of self-funding, then they are entitled to self-fund,” Birmingham said. “Of course, they still need to meet all of the registration requirements in the state or territory in which they’re operating.” | “If they are capable of self-funding, then they are entitled to self-fund,” Birmingham said. “Of course, they still need to meet all of the registration requirements in the state or territory in which they’re operating.” |
| Birmingham ruled out referring the Sydney and Canberra schools to the Australian federal police or the Australian Securities and Investment Commission over allegations that money from the schools is being funnelled elsewhere. | Birmingham ruled out referring the Sydney and Canberra schools to the Australian federal police or the Australian Securities and Investment Commission over allegations that money from the schools is being funnelled elsewhere. |
| “It’s an internal matter ... and that’s where it stays at this stage.” | “It’s an internal matter ... and that’s where it stays at this stage.” |
| The Adelaide school under review in November announced that it had taken steps to comply with the commonwealth’s requirements, including sacking all board members and installing an acting principal. | The Adelaide school under review in November announced that it had taken steps to comply with the commonwealth’s requirements, including sacking all board members and installing an acting principal. |
| The Melbourne school said it was confident it would meet its compliance obligations, saying it “accepts without reservation” the obligations set out in the Education Act. |