Canberra private school Brindabella Christian college is in danger of being declared insolvent with the Australian taxation office chasing an $8 million dollar debt through the courts and the ACT government considers regulatory action. It's left students and their families and staff facing an uncertain future amid calls for the territory and federal governments to offer more support.
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00:00From the acquisition of a state-of-the-art robot, to bus advertising, Brindabella Christian
00:08College has long spruked its educational merits, but questions about the school's governance
00:13and finances have prompted the ACT government to consider regulatory action.
00:18Brindabella Christian College have 14 days to respond to my show cause notice.
00:24That will be considered by me, I'll have legal advice and will be considered by the registration
00:28standards advisory board.
00:30Once I've received that response, then I can consider what further action I might take.
00:35The possible forms of action are unclear, though the Minister says she won't cancel
00:40the school's registration for now.
00:43The Territory Government isn't alone in its scrutiny.
00:46Federal court documents reveal the Australian Tax Office is looking to collect an $8 million
00:51debt served last month, alleging the defendant failed to pay the amount of the debt demanded
00:57within 21 days after the demand was served.
01:00With a court date looming, the Union for the School's Teachers, who've long-standing concerns
01:05about late superannuation payments, says staff have been left in a precarious position.
01:11They're certainly committed, but it's shocking I think to say the amount of money allegedly
01:18owed by the school to the ATO, but the school has clearly had financial difficulties for
01:24some time.
01:25The school has been contacted for comment.
01:27Meanwhile, a group of current and former parents and staff calling themselves Reform BCC say
01:33the community demands transparency, accountability and action to keep the school open.
01:38But no parents would go on camera because of the terms of the school's enrolment agreement
01:43and what it might mean for their children's future at the school.
01:46This really does bring up some big questions about a regulatory environment that allows
01:52a school to get to this point.
01:54I've asked the Education Directorate to set up a hotline so that concerned members of
01:58the Brindabella Christian College community can get in touch and we can provide them with
02:02any updates as they arise.
02:04A hearing for the federal court case is scheduled for next month.