Crusade against Bible classes hits legal roadblock

  • 14/10/2016
Hundreds of Kiwi schools offer Bible classes (Getty)
Hundreds of Kiwi schools offer Bible classes (Getty)

An Auckland father is frustrated his case against Bible classes will not been heard in the Supreme Court.

The issue erupted after Red Beach School placed Jeff McClintock's daughter in Bible classes without his consent.

Mr McClintock was told by the Court he would need to reach a "full and final settlement" with the school before the case could continue.

"They have no interest in letting me continue with the case, so they've been very difficult and stubborn on reaching any kind of settlement, so I'm stuck."

Mr McClintock's case was originally going to be heard in the High Court, but the proceedings were cancelled after he failed to comply with its set timetable.

He went to the Court of Appeal, which said he had to drop the case against the Board of Trustees and pay outstanding costs if he wanted the case heard - Mr McClintock rejected those conditions and went to the Supreme Court, which dismissed his application.

Red Beach School is now claiming costs against Mr McClintock for $24,000.

"I don't think it's really fair if I took the case with genuine intentions, and I haven't even had the chance to put my case before the court - it's just been blocked," says Mr McClintock.

"We have a right to be heard in cases where we challenge the Government."

While Mr McClintock is frustrated with the outcome, he doesn't think the effort was in vain.

"It might be the end of the road for me, but we have over 1000 other parents in the same boat. I think you'll be hearing more legal cases in the future, until this gets resolved."

Mr McClintock and the Secular Education Network originally planned to argue their case to the Human Rights Tribunal, but switched to the legal system for a quicker result.

Red Beach School declined to comment, saying the matter was with its lawyers.

Newshub.