AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
PRESS RELEASE 545#
HIGH COURT CHALLENGE
TO CHAPLAINS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BACK IN THE HIGH COURT
13 March 2014
Ron Williams, a courageous Queensland parent, won his High Court 2012 case against Chaplaincy in public schools on the basis of Section 61, rather than Section 116 of the Australian Constitution.
The Commonwealth Government changed the legislation and chaplains continued. But, Ron Williams has decided to , literally, try the High Court again. see http://highcourtchallenge.com/progress.html.
As in the DOGS case, all the religious and State powers are ranged against Ron Williams. For genuine Christians, who believe in separation of religion from the State this is a David and Goliath exercise.
On Tuesday 11 March 2014, the matter of Williams v. Commonwealth of Australia & Ors (S154/2013) has been listed for hearing by the Full Court at 10:15 am on Tuesday 6 May, Wednesday 7 May and Thursday 8 May 2014 in Court No. 1 Parkes Place, Canberra. The matter will be heard by six Justices (Justice Gageler will not participate). http://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/case_s154-2013
Like the DOGS case, this is a threshold case for the secular, and indeed the open, transparent nature of our public school systems in Australia. Will our public schools be open to all children with offence to none, or will they become, like our sectarian private sector, the plaything of religious groups, sowing the seeds of disharmony and unfairness in our democratic society.
Rom Williams needs all the assistance he can obtain. Legal challenges cost a great deal of money. Ron Williams needs a further $250k . If you wish to do so as follows:
DIRECT DEPOSIT: BANK: NAB
ACCOUNT: Horowitz & Bilinsky Pty Ltd ATF Ronald James Williams
ACCOUNT#: 169589121
BSB: 082 080
REFERENCE: R.J. Williams .Please Note: While the above account name may not be accommodated in full within the space provided at some online banking facilities, be assured that NAB account number 082 080 169589121 is dedicated to the Horowitz & Bilinsky RJ Williams controlled moneys account, with or without the provision of 'reference' or other information.
The following is further information on Ron Williams web site at http://highcourtchallenge.com/progress.html
2013
Tuesday 11 March 2014:
The matter of Williams v. Commonwealth of Australia & Ors (S154/2013) has been listed for hearing by the Full Court at 10:15 am on Tuesday 6 May, Wednesday 7 May and Thursday 8 May 2014 in Court No. 1 Parkes Place, Canberra. The matter will be heard by six Justices (Justice Gageler will not participate). http://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/case_s154-2013
Friday 31 January 2014:
Special Case pursuant to rule 27.08 in the matter of Ronald Williams v Commonwealth of Australia & Ors Proceeding No. S154 of 2013 filed at the High Court of Australia Sydney Registry.
Friday 13 December 2013:
High Court of Australia Directions Hearing before His Honour Chief Justice French. Special Case agreed. Canberra Full Bench hearing set down for three days (TBA) within the week commencing 5 May 2014.
Transcript: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/HCATrans/2013/311.html
Thursday 21 November 2013:
The New South Wales Government Crown Solicitor’s Office has advised that the Attorney-General for the State of NSW will be intervening in the matter of Ronald Williams v Commonwealth of Australia & Ors – High Court of Australia Proceeding No. S154 of 2013.
Tuesday 19 November 2013:
The Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office has advised that the Attorney-General for the State of Victoria will be intervening in the matter of Ronald Williams v Commonwealth of Australia & Ors High Court of Australia – Proceeding No. S154 of 2013.
Wednesday 25 September 2013:
The Attorney-General for the State of South Australia intends to intervene in the matter of Williams v Commonwealth of Australia & Ors High Court Proceedings s154 of 2013.
Monday 23 September 2013:
A directions hearing in the matter of Williams v Commonwealth of Australia & Ors High Court Proceedings s154 of 2013 set down for 9:00 am Friday 13 December 2013 at High Court of Australia, Level 23, Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney. Tentative setting down of full bench hearing for March-April 2014. Transcript of Proceedings
Monday 9 September 2013:
A directions hearing in the matter of Williams v Commonwealth of Australia & Ors High Court Proceedings s154 of 2013 will be held at noon on Friday 20 September 2013. The location will be: High Court of Australia, Level 23, Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney.
Wednesday 28 August 2013:
Williams v Commonwealth — High Court Proceedings s154 of 2013. The Commonwealth has agreed that, subject to the views of the Court, this matter can proceed by way of Special Case. A timetable has been proposed.
Thursday 8 August 2013:
A Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim was issued out of the High Court of Australia between:
Ronald Williams - Plaintiff
and
Commonwealth of Australia - First Defendant
Minister for Education - Second Defendant
Scripture Union Queensland - Third Defendant
2010 - 2012
Williams v. Commonwealth of Australia and Ors
Judgement 20 June 2012 6-1 decision in favour of plaintiff
Case No: S307/2010
Case Information
Catchwords
Plaintiff contends that the payment or disbursement by the Commonwealth of monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purposes of the National School Chaplaincy Program, and therefore the Darling Heights Funding Agreement, was not supported by an appropriation made by law, as required by s.83 of the Constitution
Documents
21/12/2010 Writ of summons
21/12/2010 Notice of constitutional matter
27/01/2011 Hearing (Single Justice, Sydney)
25/03/2011 Hearing (Single Justice, Sydney)
06/05/2011 Draft case stated
09/05/2011 Hearing (Single Justice, Canberra by video link to Sydney & Melbourne)
18/05/2011 Special case
28/06/2011 Written submissions (Plaintiff)
28/06/2011 Chronology
01/07/2011 Written submissions (Attorney-General for Western Australia intervening)
11/07/2011 Written submissions (First to Third Defendants)
12/07/2011 Written submissions (Fourth Defendant)
19/07/2011 Reply
19/07/2011 Written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of New South Wales intervening)
20/07/2011 Written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of Victoria intervening)
20/07/2011 Written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of Queensland intervening)
20/07/2011 Written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of South Australia intervening)
25/07/2011 Written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania intervening)
26/07/2011 Hearing (Single Justice, Canberra by video-link to Adelaide and Perth)
26/07/2011 Amended written submissions (Fourth Defendant)
27/07/2011 First to Third Defendants' reply to interveners
29/07/2011 Further amended written submissions (Plaintiff)
29/07/2011 Amended written submissions (First to Third Defendants)
29/07/2011 Amended written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of New South Wales intervening)
29/07/2011 Plaintiff's reply to interveners
29/07/2011 Amended written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of Western Australia intervening)
29/07/2011 Written submissions (Churches Commission on Education - seeking leave to intervene)
09/08/2011 Hearing (Full Court, Canberra)
10/08/2011 Hearing (Full Court, Canberra)
11/08/2011 Hearing (Full Court, Canberra)
19/08/2011 Further written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania intervening)
19/08/2011 Further written submissions (Attorney-General for the State of South Australia intervening)
01/09/2011 Response to intervener's submissions (First to Third Defendants)
12/09/2011 Supplementary written submissions (Plaintiff)
20/06/2012 Judgment
