ACT leader David Seymour has stood by his apology to Destiny Church that it should have had a charter school six years ago.
Seymour gave a speech on Parliament grounds back in 2018 where he said Destiny should have had a charter school.
The controversial religious group had multiple bids to set up a charter school blocked by the Ministry of Education over fears students could be pressured into joining the church.
"You applied for your excellent, independent school in South Auckland to become a charter school and we said no because the authorities, because the establishment against that was too strong," Seymour said in 2018.
"I want to say to you today I'm sorry for that decision, that was wrong. Destiny should have had a charter school and I want to take this opportunity to tell you that."
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki posted the speech on social media after last week's announcement that the Coalition Government would bring back charter schools.
He said he expects Seymour to be true to his word and Destiny Church's application should be the first one approved.
Responding to the speech on AM on Monday morning, Seymour agreed with his previous statement that the decision on Destiny's application was wrong.
"I visited the school that they were operating and, despite everything that I think about Destiny, they did actually have a small school that they were operating that was working for certain students," Seymour told co-host Lloyd Burr.
"I have to say that in the years since that clip… Having seen Destiny people protest and rev their motorbikes outside a constituent of mine that had cancer and basically refused to take that into account, I have a much dimmer view of them these days."
Seymour said any applications to become a charter school would be taken on merits and whether the school can make a difference for students. He said Destiny Church, as it is today, "might face some challenges with that".
In response to Seymour's comments on Monday, Tamaki said the ACT Party's damage control was "kicking in" and Seymour was "trying to backpedal at rapid pace".
Seymour, who is the Associate Education Minister, announced the Government's upcoming Budget would include $153 million in funding over four years for up to 50 charter schools.
State schools can express their interest in converting to charter schools. The application process will open after the legislation is introduced to Parliament in the coming months.
On Monday, he said 35 organisations had expressed interest in becoming a charter school so far.
The application process will open after the legislation is introduced to Parliament in the coming months.
Newshub.
