National Secular Lobby
banner
secularlobby.bsky.social
National Secular Lobby
@secularlobby.bsky.social
Advancing separation of religion and government in Australia.
Welcome to the 2 November 2025 edition of the NSL Weekend Wrap, your weekly round-up of news and views on Australian #secular issues! #auspol #secularism

www.nsl.org.au/columns/week...
Weekend Wrap for 2 November 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 2 November 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
November 1, 2025 at 10:14 PM
VAD reform passed the Victorian lower house this week. Legislating on VAD back in 2017, Victoria’s framework had more onerous restrictions than states that followed; this bill sought to bring it into line with them. #auspol
https://bit.ly/4odXd5f
A 2am sitting, tears and dim sims: Assisted dying reform passes lower house
Labor and the Coalition both granted their members a conscience vote on the bill, which now moves to the upper house, where it faces a much narrower path to pass.
bit.ly
November 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The ACT has expanded the liability of churches, sporting groups and other organisations to make them vicariously liable for acts of child sex abuse perpetrated by people such as clergymen, volunteers and coaches who are in positions akin to employment. #auspol
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
ACT closes 'legal loophole' making institutions more liable for child sexual abuse
Survivors and lawyers welcome the nation-leading legislation, with legal action against churches, sporting groups and others to be affected.
www.abc.net.au
October 31, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Anyone still unsure of the esteem in which the #LNP hold women? Their new concern is that women will carry a baby to term and then abort it at the last minute so they can claim parental leave under the new stillbirth-oriented Baby Priya's Bill. #abortion #auspol
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Butler hits out at Coalition's 'cynical' late-term abortion claims in parental leave clash
Baby Priya's Bill prevents employers from revoking parental leave in the event of a stillbirth, but does not apply to cases involving abortion.
www.sbs.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Religous MPs in NSW Parliament are trying to amend #assisteddying laws to allow aged care facilities to deny their residents access to VAD. Send them a message here:
https://dwdnsw.good.do/VADBillOct25/MLC/
#nswpol
Religious MPs must not restrict assisted dying in aged care homes
Religous MPs in NSW Parliament are trying to amend the voluntary assisted dying laws to allow aged care facilities to deny their residents access to VAD. Faith based aged care providers want the right to prioritise their religious beliefs over the rights and choices of elderly residents in their care. If this makes you angry please take action right now. Upper House MPs urgently need to hear about the suffering this will cause vulnerable dying people in nursing homes. ACT NOW and send this message to NSW Parliament: An aged care facility is a residents home. Federal aged care law require providers to respect residents choices about their medical care, including accessing VAD. Forcing a dying resident to leave their home to access VAD would increase the suffering of already vulnerable people. It means they will die in unfamiliar surroundings, cared for by strangers. Faith based aged care may be the only option available to elderly people in regional and remote areas. It may be simply impossible for them to be transferred to another location to use VAD. The Federal Government funds aged care operators to provide high quality care to all residents. They must not discriminate against those who do not share their beliefs.  PLEASE HELP - Aged care residents should not be denied access to VAD Your message will be sent to all members of the NSW Upper House. You will receive a copy too. Dying with Dignity NSW dwdnsw.org.au 
dwdnsw.good.do
October 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Maria Esguerra, a psychologist and a cult survivor, speaks about the psychological impacts and other harms experienced in religious cults and high-demand religious groups in the latest episode of the RSA's Secular Agenda podcast. #springst #auspol
https://rationalist.com.au/podcasts/
‘Secular Agenda’ Podcast | Rationalist Society of Australia
‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast In the ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast, we’ll bring you regular interviews with people who are working for secular change on a range of issues across Australia. We'll also share highlights from our RSA Webinars series.The host of the podcast is Si Gladman, Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia.
rationalist.com.au
October 25, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Welcome to the 26 October 2025 edition of the NSL Weekend Wrap, your weekly round-up of news and views on Australian #secular issues! #auspol #secularism

https://www.nsl.org.au/columns/weekend-wrap-for-26-october-2025/
Weekend Wrap for 26 October 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 26 October 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
October 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
"When the Liberal MP Rachel Westaway asked if there was any room for legislation to protect vulnerable people already 'lured' into cults and who 'don’t have capacity to make an informed decision', [ACL state director] Yuen replied: 'No.'" #springst
http://bit.ly/4noJGGG
Australian Christian Lobby says any new laws protecting people from cults could be ‘very dangerous’
Lobby groups tell Victorian inquiry legitimate churches could be caught up in any proposed crackdown on coercive practices
bit.ly
October 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
"Of the respondents to the inquiry, 95 per cent said they had suffered psychological harm, including mind control, emotional abuse, fear of punishment if they left, isolation from family and friends and apocalyptic teachings." #springst

http://bit.ly/48BIj3V
Cult survivors speak of isolation, shunning and shame at parliamentary inquiry
Cult survivors have told a Victorian parliamentary inquiry how religious and fringe groups operate outside the public gaze.
bit.ly
October 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Welcome to the 19 October 2025 edition of the NSL Weekend Wrap, your weekly round-up of news and views on Australian #secular issues! #auspol #secularism

https://www.nsl.org.au/columns/weekend-wrap-for-19-october-2025/
Weekend Wrap for 19 October 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 19 October 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
October 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam criticises new changes to A-D legislation: "It was really about a pre-election promise to place power and privilege back to groups that already are in places of power and privilege." #ntpol #auspol
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
NT passes anti-discrimination law changes to 'restore' free speech, religion
Northern Territory Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby says the changes will protect freedom of expression and religion while retaining protections against hate speech.
www.abc.net.au
October 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
"The claim by the prime minister, premiers and their education ministers that public schools will be fully funded by 2034 is a blatant falsehood."
- Trevor Cobbold, Save Our Schools #auspol
http://bit.ly/4ofKWgj
New school funding agreements deny full funding for public schools
The claim by the prime minister, premiers and their education ministers that public schools will be fully funded by 2034 is a blatant falsehood.
bit.ly
October 12, 2025 at 1:00 AM
A poll by The NT News of all 25 members of the NT Parliament resulted in 13 stating they believed the NT should allow voluntary assisted dying. #assisteddying #ntpol
https://cathnews.com/2025/10/09/half-of-top-end-parliamentarians-voice-support-for-assisted-dying/
Half of Top End parliamentarians voice support for assisted dying - CathNews
Half of Northern Territory parliamentarians have voiced their support for reinstating the rights of Territorians to choose voluntary assisted dying following the release of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee report. Source: NT News.
cathnews.com
October 11, 2025 at 10:20 PM
"[NSW premier Chris] Minns appears to traverse the political divide in terms of his belief that religion should play a role in what many constituents consider is the rightfully secular sphere of politics." #auspol
http://bit.ly/3J7WL9g
The Premier of NSW Is Injecting Christ Back into the Sphere of Politics
In interfaith NSW, one faith should usurp all others, according to government ministers...
bit.ly
October 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Welcome to the 12 October 2025 edition of the NSL Weekend Wrap, your weekly round-up of news and views on Australian #secular issues! #auspol #secularism

https://www.nsl.org.au/columns/weekend-wrap-for-12-october-2025/
Weekend Wrap for 12 October 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 12 October 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
October 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The Australian affiliate of late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA is moving into SA ahead of next year's state election. #saparli
http://bit.ly/48rk2xs
Turning Point Australia moves into SA, ahead of state election
The Australian affiliate of late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA is moving into South Australia ahead of next year's state election, but some politicians say the group is "out of step with mainstream values".
bit.ly
October 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by National Secular Lobby
The Albanese government says it “continues to consider” the recommendations of an independent research and advisory body regarding reforms to the charities sector, including to religious charities, almost a year and a half since receiving them. Read more: rationalist.com.au/government-s...
#auspol
Government still “considering” recommendations regarding charities sector, says Treasurer | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Albanese government says it “continues to consider” the recommendations of an independent research and advisory body regarding reforms to the charities sector, including to religious charities, al...
rationalist.com.au
October 8, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Voluntary assisted dying laws will be introduced to the Northern Territory Parliament, with the Country Liberal Government confirming it will move ahead with drafting a bill. #ntpol #auspol

https://cathnews.com/2025/10/02/nt-government-to-draft-voluntary-assisted-dying-bill/
NT Government to draft voluntary assisted dying bill  - CathNews
Voluntary assisted dying laws will be introduced to the Northern Territory Parliament, with the Country Liberal Government confirming yesterday it will move ahead with drafting a bill. Source: NT News.
cathnews.com
October 4, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Welcome to the 5 October 2025 edition of the NSL Weekend Wrap, your weekly round-up of news and views on Australian #secular issues! #auspol #secularism

https://www.nsl.org.au/columns/weekend-wrap-for-5-october-2025/
Weekend Wrap for 5 October 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 5 October 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
October 4, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A new report questions a key federal government claim that Australian public schools will be fully funded by 2034 under an agreement struck with the states. #auspol

READ: https://archive.md/n2R7J
October 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
"In recent times, we have witnessed the infiltration of politics by a variety of religious groups, such as those of the Pentecostal Horizon sect … and the Brethren religious group, whose considerable resources propped up the Liberal Party's 2025 Election campaign."

http://bit.ly/4gOsx7M
Brethren and Pentecostal cults and the 'quid pro quo' for Australia's democracy
As the links between extreme religious cults and Liberal Party politicians pile up, managing editor Michelle Pini considers the 'quid pro quo'.
bit.ly
September 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Welcome to the 28 September 2025 edition of the NSL Weekend Wrap, your weekly round-up of news and views on Australian #secular issues! #auspol #secularism

https://www.nsl.org.au/columns/weekend-wrap-for-28-september-2025/
Weekend Wrap for 28 September 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 28 September 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
September 27, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Religious conservative MP Andrew Hastie is emerging as the de facto leader of a "MAGA Right" within the LNP, touting a "divisive brand of politics that shuns net zero and migration and is anchored in flag-waving patriotism, faith and family".

http://bit.ly/4gF1886
Future Liberal leader or party disruptor? Andrew Hastie and the rise of the ‘Maga right’
WA MP offers a divisive brand of politics that shuns net zero and migration and is anchored in flag-waving patriotism, faith and family
bit.ly
September 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Women having 'missed miscarriages' say they were denied care at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane because of its religious policies on abortion. This hospital receives public money. Why are we funding hospitals that don't provide medical services? #auspol #qldpol
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Qld women denied chosen miscarriage care say it's like something from the US
Brisbane women have told the ABC they paid an abortion clinic for their chosen miscarriage care rather than getting it at their large public hospital.
www.abc.net.au
September 25, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Reposted by National Secular Lobby
“...three cultural moments have just combined into a significant cultural flashpoint.” In #Rationale magazine, Clare Heath-McIvor writes on the growing threats of Christian nationalism and far-right extremism in Australia.
rationalemagazine.com/index.php/20...
#auspol @clareheathmcivor.bsky.social
Christian extremism: An American ideological contagion in the Australian context - Rationale Magazine
Up until 26 August 2025, white Christian nationalism may have remained an abstract concept – something that happens in America, but not here. But within days of Dezi Freeman (allegedly) turning his gu...
rationalemagazine.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM