Education Minister Yvette Berry isn’t contemplating cancelling the school’s registration. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Education Minister Yvette Berry issued Brindabella Christian College a show cause notice this afternoon (20 February) regarding its governance and financial issues.
Ms Berry said the show cause notice proposed further regulatory action and the school had 14 days to respond.
She could not provide any detail about the notice or what regulatory action may entail because Brindabella Christian College deserved procedural fairness.
“Before deciding whether or not to take the proposed action, I must consider any response received as well as advice from the Registration Standards Advisory Board,” Ms Berry said.
She said the show cause notice did not contemplate cancelling the school’s registration, but “it would be inappropriate for me to disclose the proposed regulatory action prior to providing Brindabella with the opportunity to respond”.
“I am under an obligation to afford procedural fairness to Brindabella and to comment further may compromise any regulatory action,” she said.
The action comes as the school faces action from the Tax Office in the federal court over millions of dollars of unpaid PAYG tax instalments.
The ATO has applied to wind up the school’s operator, Brindabella Christian Education Ltd, and a hearing is set down for 26 March.
Ms Berry said the ACT Government was aware of the Federal Court action and would monitor the matter for any potential impacts on the ACT community.
At last count, the school owed the ATO more than $5 million.
“I understand that schools are essential parts of our community, and it can be distressing for families and staff that may be impacted by these concerns,” Ms Berry said.
Ms Berry has been weighing what to do about the school since late last year when BCEL responded to her demands to show proof of its governance compliance and financial viability.
The federal department of education has been investigating the school for more than four years.
At one point, it found that BCEL was not a fit and proper person to operate the school.
Loading ...
