Whatever their politics, the hearts of Australians will be with Kevin Rudd, Therese Rein and their family today. CSA thanks them for their service to the Australian nation.

Kevin Rudd's time as Leader of the Labor Party, both in Opposition and in Government, was characterised by positive support for Christian and other faith-based schools.

It should not be forgotten that one of Mr Rudd's first announcements as Labor Leader, then in Opposition, was that Labor would adopt a new and inclusive approach to choice in schooling. With the then Shadow Education Minister Stephen Smith, Mr Rudd in 2007 released the following statement which marked a turning point in the education funding debate: 

"Where parents decide to send their children to school is entirely a matter for them. It is their choice. Parents make their decisions on the basis that they want to maximise their child's potential and give them the best start in life. Often parents make these decisions at considerable personal financial cost. That choice is usually based on a variety of reasons including religious or personal conviction. A Rudd Labor Government will support parental choice. We will do that by funding all schools, whether they are government, non-government, religious or secular, based on need and fairness. A Rudd Labor Government will be concerned about the quality of education rather than engaging in a government versus non-government schools debate. That is behind us."

The Government led by Mr Rudd has assiduously honoured this commitment, and we have every confidence that the Gillard Government will continue to do so. Julia Gillard has shown herself to be equally committed to these principles and to be more than capable of seeing them through. 

Kevin Rudd placed the 'education revolution' reforms at the centre of the policy agenda and took evident pride in seeing them achieved. It is significant to note that in his final press conference as Prime Minister, Mr Rudd made much mention of school programmes, as he did at the recent Make It Count event, which we have commented on elsewhere.

Christian schools are grateful to Mr Rudd for the BER programme, which is providing excellent infrastructure for learning. In Christian and other non-government schools it is being utilised both effectively and efficiently.

We are most grateful however to Mr Rudd for the way he has sought to honour God in serving as Prime Minister. He has been open and thoughtful about his faith, and the issue of faith in public life generally, in ways and at times when it was appropriate to do so.

As he did in his final speech today, we acknowledge and thank God for Kevin, Therese and their family. We will continue to uphold them in prayer as they enter a new season, and pray they will find many blessings in the coming months.