However, there are a range of policies affecting individual rights and the rights of parents educating their children where there is a clear difference between the major parties.

A major difference is the right of religious schools and agencies to employ people of their own faith which was infringed by legislation passed by the Labor government in 2010; notably political parties were exempted from the provision.

In 2011 the Coalition government overturned the Labor legislation; restoring choice, amending the Equal Opportunity Act.

The Victorian Labor Party Platform on page 69 foreshadows removing the right of schools and agencies to employ those who share their beliefs and values again.

A further serious matter regarding choice involves the problematic Safe Schools Coalition Australia program, which has funding from the Victorian and federal governments.

However, only the Labor Party has signalled an intention of making the program compulsory in all Victorian state high schools (refer party platform 2014, page 28).

The program is “sold” to combat bullying — a worthy objective, but arguably is not the best way to deal with bullying and mental health issues experienced by school- children.

The program is not inclusive; it is focused on same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students and is based on the premise that the sexual identity is the cause for the student being bullied.

All students who are bullied, for whatever reason, deserve support and protection — anti-bullying programs that work, place the focus on zero tolerance for any reason.

— P. MURRAY,

Wodonga