The government has denied it made any secret negotiations to get the support it needed to get the go ahead to privatise 49per cent of the state’s electricity network for $13 billion.

Member for Keira, Ryan Park, said the Premier needs to ‘‘come clean’’ and explain why he was ‘‘pandering’’ to Reverend Nile at the expense of local parents who should be able to have a clear choice.

‘‘This is a decision that should be made by local families without Government interference or influence. It is a sensitive issue that the Premier has decided to use as a way of getting support for the selloff of the state’s electricity assets,’’ said Mr Park.

Enrolment forms for the 2015 school year allowed parents a choice to opt in or out of Special Religious Education (SRE) or the ethics alternative – separate to nominating their religion.

A Fairfax investigation found Mr Baird’s office tried to fast track a request for changes to omit from the form any reference to ethics classes whatsoever, following lobbying by faith groups.

‘‘I thought the philosophy of the Liberals was founded on ensuring choice,’’ said Shellharbour MP Anna Watson. ‘‘This is about doing a favour for Nile so he’ll support the Government’s electricity sell-off. The Premier should back off and let, as is currently the case, parents and students determine participation in either religious or ethics classes.’’

Ethics teacher Maggie Sydenham believes the majority of parents want children to do one or the other, and began teaching the syllabus at Dapto High School because it was a way to get children to think for themselves. 

Mrs Sydenham said all of her students are quite involved and participate strongly in discussions on topics such as voting, ethical responsibility, vanity and punishment. ‘‘If parents opt not to send their children [to either class] they then empty bins, watch DVDs or do nothing – and they’re not even allowed to do school work because that would give them an advantage.’’