Commonwealth funding of religious schools under a neutral, non-discriminatory regime for all non-government schools does not contravene s 116 of the Constitution. The establishment clause of s 116 requires the purpose of establishing a state religion or state church; neutral funding that incidentally benefits religious institutions is insufficient. The imposition of religious observance by a school in receipt of Commonwealth funding does not make the funding law one 'for imposing' religious observance where the observance results from parental choice. Standing to challenge the constitutional validity of funding legislation requires an interest that engages the objects of the legislation, not merely physical or economic effects from the funded activity.
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