The leader of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn has refused to answer further questions about a $400,000 event to launch a new strategic plan, as education advocates seek assurances that taxpayer money is not used for non-educational purposes.
Executive director David de Carvalho was asked to give a breakdown of spending on the Apostolic Action Plan launch and whether teachers attending the launch could count any hours towards their professional learning.
He previously said the $400,000 budget was being funded from revenue sources other than government funding or school fees.
He would not answer further questions on what funding source was being used for the event and how many people were invited to the formal dinner event in the evening.
Save Our Schools national convenor Trevor Cobbold said the ACT, NSW and Commonwealth governments needed to ensure that none of the expenditure on the "social religious function" was being funded by taxpayers.
"These governments together provide nearly $400 million a year in funding for Catholic schools in the Canberra and Goulburn archdiocese," Mr Cobbold said.
"In the context of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into the use of donations made by Catholic Schools NSW, it is important that governments assure that no taxpayer funding is being used for social and religious celebrations or other non-educational purposes."
The 2025 audited financial report for Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited shows about $376 million of its revenue came from government grants and $145 million came from fees and charges.
The revenue that was not related to government grants or parent fees was $4.5 million in donations, $3.4 million in trading activities, $4.6 million from "other income" and $12.5 million in interest.
Mr de Carvalho previously said the $400,000 budget was "modest" and in line with previous events held in 2017 and 2023.
The Canberra Times understands the 2023 event for the launch of the Catalyst program brought teachers from across the archdiocese to the National Convention Centre.
Teachers were able to count the event as part of their professional learning hours which is a requirement for teacher registration.
The event on August 20 will bring more than 1000 Catholic school students, school leaders, clergy and religious education leaders to the National Convention Centre in Canberra.
The event will begin with a Mass led by Archbishop Christopher Prowse.
Schools in regional NSW will be involved in launch events at regional hubs.
In the evening, there will be a function with dinner and dancing. It is understood the Archdiocese is considering hiring a magician to entertain guests.
It is unclear whether there is a professional learning offering for teachers.
The Apostolic Action Plan has two main goals: that faith oxygenates every learning area in the curriculum and that every school achieves above-expected growth in literacy and numeracy.
