Si Gladman
@sigladman.bsky.social
Executive Director, Rationalist Society of Australia; Editor, Rationale magazine; Host of ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast.
Reposted by Si Gladman
The Bureau of Statistics will ask Australians completing next year’s Census to answer a religion question that it criticised and made a compelling case against re-using in a private briefing with the Albanese govt, documents obtained under FOI laws show: rationalist.com.au/exclusive-ab...
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Exclusive: ABS criticised biased Census religion question, rejected church’s concerns about change | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will ask Australians completing next year's Census to answer a religion question that it criticised and made a compelling case against re-using in a private b...
rationalist.com.au
December 4, 2025 at 7:29 AM
The Bureau of Statistics will ask Australians completing next year’s Census to answer a religion question that it criticised and made a compelling case against re-using in a private briefing with the Albanese govt, documents obtained under FOI laws show: rationalist.com.au/exclusive-ab...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
We have written to new Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson seeking clarity on whether the Liberal Party is planning to return religious indoctrination to class time in public schools if it wins the state election next year. More: rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on...
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RSA calls on Victorian Liberals to be clear on scripture policy | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking clarity from the Victorian Liberal Party on whether it is planning to return religious indoctrination to class time in public schools if it wins the sta...
rationalist.com.au
December 2, 2025 at 6:43 AM
We have written to new Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson seeking clarity on whether the Liberal Party is planning to return religious indoctrination to class time in public schools if it wins the state election next year. More: rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-on...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
A coalition of non-religious, ex-religious and pro-secular groups is seeking answers from the Albanese government on how it will address ongoing discrimination against non-religious Australians in government institutions and programs. Read more: rationalist.com.au/coalition-of...
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Coalition of groups questions Attorney-General over Australia’s treatment of non-religious people | Rationalist Society of Australia
A coalition of non-religious, ex-religious and pro-secular groups is seeking answers from the Albanese government on how it will address ongoing discrimination against non-religious Australians in gov...
rationalist.com.au
November 29, 2025 at 5:54 AM
A coalition of non-religious, ex-religious and pro-secular groups is seeking answers from the Albanese government on how it will address ongoing discrimination against non-religious Australians in government institutions and programs. Read more: rationalist.com.au/coalition-of...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
The AFR reports that barrister Rachel Doyle SC has criticised the involvement of the legal fraternity in Catholic Red Masses, saying it risked creating a perception of connection between the secular institution of the law and the religious institution. Read more:
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
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www.afr.com/politics/fed...
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November 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
The AFR reports that barrister Rachel Doyle SC has criticised the involvement of the legal fraternity in Catholic Red Masses, saying it risked creating a perception of connection between the secular institution of the law and the religious institution. Read more:
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
#auspol
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
At Oberon Council in NSW last month, Councillor Ian Tucker made the case – unsuccessfully – for moving prayers from the formal business of meetings so that council could no longer impose religion on himself, colleagues, staff & members of the public. More:
rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
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rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
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November 27, 2025 at 3:16 AM
At Oberon Council in NSW last month, Councillor Ian Tucker made the case – unsuccessfully – for moving prayers from the formal business of meetings so that council could no longer impose religion on himself, colleagues, staff & members of the public. More:
rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
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rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
NSW councillors who chose to have acts of Christian worship retained in formal govt meetings over the option of holding prayers in private have argued the decision was about “returning spirituality in the community” but “not about pushing any religion”: rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
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Councillor claims observing prayers in meetings “not about pushing religion”, as Oberon keeps prayers | Rationalist Society of Australia
Councillors who chose to have acts of Christian worship retained in formal government meetings over the option of holding prayers in private have argued that the decision was about “returning spiritua...
rationalist.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 8:56 AM
NSW councillors who chose to have acts of Christian worship retained in formal govt meetings over the option of holding prayers in private have argued the decision was about “returning spirituality in the community” but “not about pushing any religion”: rationalist.com.au/councillor-c...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
Members of the public have raised concerns about issues of coercive control in religious charities with the national charities regulator, a state parliamentary inquiry examining cults and fringe organised groups has heard. Read more: rationalist.com.au/charities-re...
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Charities regulator confirms allegations raised with it over coercive control | Rationalist Society of Australia
Members of the public have raised concerns about issues of coercive control in religious charities with the national charities regulator, a parliamentary inquiry examining cults and fringe organised g...
rationalist.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Members of the public have raised concerns about issues of coercive control in religious charities with the national charities regulator, a state parliamentary inquiry examining cults and fringe organised groups has heard. Read more: rationalist.com.au/charities-re...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
The Age reports that leaked recordings from the Exclusive Brethren’s Strive 26 conference this week have revealed the church’s leadership swinging back at the Prime Minister's labelling it a cult and discussion on plans to deal with a tax office probe.
www.theage.com.au/national/we-...
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www.theage.com.au/national/we-...
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‘We’re not a cult’ and a call for $250 million: Inside Exclusive Brethren’s rallying call to members
Leaked recordings reveal the church’s leadership swinging back at the prime minister labelling it a cult and how it plans to deal with a tax office probe.
www.theage.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The Age reports that leaked recordings from the Exclusive Brethren’s Strive 26 conference this week have revealed the church’s leadership swinging back at the Prime Minister's labelling it a cult and discussion on plans to deal with a tax office probe.
www.theage.com.au/national/we-...
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www.theage.com.au/national/we-...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
The charities regulator has told a parliamentary inquiry into cult groups that some religious charities’ exemptions to reporting requirements and governance standards “significantly impacts” its ability to act when public concerns are raised about charities: rationalist.com.au/charities-re...
Charities regulator tells cult inquiry of “significant impact” on its work due to religious charities’ “reduced” obligations | Rationalist Society of Australia
The nation’s charities regulator has told a parliamentary inquiry into cult groups that some religious charities’ exemptions to reporting requirements and governance standards “significantly impacts” ...
rationalist.com.au
November 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The charities regulator has told a parliamentary inquiry into cult groups that some religious charities’ exemptions to reporting requirements and governance standards “significantly impacts” its ability to act when public concerns are raised about charities: rationalist.com.au/charities-re...
Reposted by Si Gladman
When the ACT’s Legislative Assembly passed laws to ensure religious institutions will be vicariously liable for the actions of clergymen – & other organisations similarly for their volunteers & people in positions akin to employment – Shane Rattenbury took aim at those who opposed the move.
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November 12, 2025 at 5:57 AM
When the ACT’s Legislative Assembly passed laws to ensure religious institutions will be vicariously liable for the actions of clergymen – & other organisations similarly for their volunteers & people in positions akin to employment – Shane Rattenbury took aim at those who opposed the move.
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Reposted by Si Gladman
We are seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support worker instead of outsourcing to a religious agency. Read more:
rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
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rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
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RSA questions WA government about schools wellbeing pilot program | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia is seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support work...
rationalist.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
We are seeking answers from the West Australian government on the status of the pilot program that allows a government school to directly hire a wellbeing support worker instead of outsourcing to a religious agency. Read more:
rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
#WApol
rationalist.com.au/rsa-question...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
At the inquiry into cults, journalist Richard Baker questioned whether ‘advancing religion’ should remain a blanket justification for concessions, suggesting instead a public benefit test to ensure groups demonstrate genuine contribution to society. www.parliament.vic.gov.au/news/society...
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Understanding the coercive practices of high-control groups - Parliament of Victoria
www.parliament.vic.gov.au
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
At the inquiry into cults, journalist Richard Baker questioned whether ‘advancing religion’ should remain a blanket justification for concessions, suggesting instead a public benefit test to ensure groups demonstrate genuine contribution to society. www.parliament.vic.gov.au/news/society...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
At the Christian prayer breakfast this week, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said that the “principles and values that Jesus lived by underpin the role of Australia’s first law officer” and claimed that “our values and faith” guide lawmakers. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australias-a...
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November 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
At the Christian prayer breakfast this week, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said that the “principles and values that Jesus lived by underpin the role of Australia’s first law officer” and claimed that “our values and faith” guide lawmakers. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australias-a...
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Christian lobbyists are struggling to understand how numbers work. Freedom for Faith’s Mike Southon has told Christian radio 50% of the population is Christian. But it was 44% in 2021 (with an ABS question that inflates religion!). It's likely to fall below 40% next year.
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November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Christian lobbyists are struggling to understand how numbers work. Freedom for Faith’s Mike Southon has told Christian radio 50% of the population is Christian. But it was 44% in 2021 (with an ABS question that inflates religion!). It's likely to fall below 40% next year.
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Reposted by Si Gladman
Speaking at the Christian prayer breakfast at Parliament House on Monday, the Albanese government’s new attorney-general, Michelle Rowland, said the “principles and values that Jesus lived by” underpin her role. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australias-a...
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Australia’s Attorney-General says Jesus’ “principles and values” underpin her role | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Albanese government’s new attorney-general has told a Christian gathering that the “principles and values that Jesus lived by” underpin her role. Speaking at the Christian annual prayer breakfast ...
rationalist.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Speaking at the Christian prayer breakfast at Parliament House on Monday, the Albanese government’s new attorney-general, Michelle Rowland, said the “principles and values that Jesus lived by” underpin her role. Read more: rationalist.com.au/australias-a...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
A Christian activist calling for the Moyne Shire Council in Victoria to reinstate prayers to the opening of its meetings has waved the Bible in front of councillors and warned of people being a “tool for the Devil”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
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November 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM
A Christian activist calling for the Moyne Shire Council in Victoria to reinstate prayers to the opening of its meetings has waved the Bible in front of councillors and warned of people being a “tool for the Devil”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
The ABC reports that the Australian Capital Territory has become the first jurisdiction to pass legislation expanding the liability of churches, sporting groups and other organisations to include the actions of paedophiles. Read more: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
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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 30, 2025 at 11:46 PM
The ABC reports that the Australian Capital Territory has become the first jurisdiction to pass legislation expanding the liability of churches, sporting groups and other organisations to include the actions of paedophiles. Read more: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
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Local councillors across Australia are now routinely speaking up for secularism and removing acts of religious worship from their meetings, or blocking attempts by religious activists to impose prayers. Yet, very few MPs in state/federal parliaments do the same.
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In opposing a petition calling for Christian prayers to be reinstated at the opening of Bass Coast council meetings, one councillor has argued that prayers should be left to churches and another has said that he has “as much religion as a cat”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
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October 29, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Local councillors across Australia are now routinely speaking up for secularism and removing acts of religious worship from their meetings, or blocking attempts by religious activists to impose prayers. Yet, very few MPs in state/federal parliaments do the same.
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Reposted by Si Gladman
We have called on the New South Wales government to publicly release the minutes for the meetings of its Faith Affairs Council in a timely manner to ensure transparency over the advisory body’s activities. Read more: rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-fo...
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RSA calls for transparency over the work of privileged NSW faith advisory body | Rationalist Society of Australia
The Rationalist Society of Australia has called on the New South Wales government to publicly release the minutes of its Faith Affairs Council in a timely manner to ensure transparency over the adviso...
rationalist.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
We have called on the New South Wales government to publicly release the minutes for the meetings of its Faith Affairs Council in a timely manner to ensure transparency over the advisory body’s activities. Read more: rationalist.com.au/rsa-calls-fo...
#NSWpol #auspol
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Reposted by Si Gladman
In opposing a petition calling for Christian prayers to be reinstated at the opening of Bass Coast council meetings, one councillor has argued that prayers should be left to churches and another has said that he has “as much religion as a cat”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
#auspol
#auspol
October 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
In opposing a petition calling for Christian prayers to be reinstated at the opening of Bass Coast council meetings, one councillor has argued that prayers should be left to churches and another has said that he has “as much religion as a cat”. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
Councillors at two local governments in Victoria have emphatically pushed back against attempts to reinstate Christian acts of worship in government meetings, successfully arguing that religion should not be privileged. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
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Councillors push back against Christian activists’ attempts to re-introduce prayers | Rationalist Society of Australia
Councillors at two local governments in Victoria have emphatically pushed back against attempts to reinstate Christian acts of worship in government meetings, successfully arguing that religion should...
rationalist.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Councillors at two local governments in Victoria have emphatically pushed back against attempts to reinstate Christian acts of worship in government meetings, successfully arguing that religion should not be privileged. Read more: rationalist.com.au/councillors-...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
The West Australian government has confirmed it remains committed to reforming the state’s equal opportunity laws following questions from the Rationalist Society of Australia about the lack of action on religious exemptions. Read more: rationalist.com.au/redrafting-o...
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Redrafting of WA equal opportunity laws “continuing as matter of priority”, says Attorney-General | Rationalist Society of Australia
The West Australian government has confirmed it remains committed to reforming the state’s equal opportunity laws following questions from the Rationalist Society of Australia about the lack of action...
rationalist.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 12:07 AM
The West Australian government has confirmed it remains committed to reforming the state’s equal opportunity laws following questions from the Rationalist Society of Australia about the lack of action on religious exemptions. Read more: rationalist.com.au/redrafting-o...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
The Guardian reports that two Christian lobby groups have pushed back against any new laws to protect vulnerable people from cults, with a Victorian inquiry told of a “palpable fear” such laws could affect mainstream churches. Read more: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
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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
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The Guardian reports that two Christian lobby groups have pushed back against any new laws to protect vulnerable people from cults, with a Victorian inquiry told of a “palpable fear” such laws could affect mainstream churches. Read more: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
Facing questions in the Senate last week, govt minister Don Farrell pledged to ask PM Anthony Albanese whether he still wanted bipartisan support before tackling the issue of discrimination against staff and students in faith schools. Follow our campaign: rationalist.com.au/campaigns/re...
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October 15, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Facing questions in the Senate last week, govt minister Don Farrell pledged to ask PM Anthony Albanese whether he still wanted bipartisan support before tackling the issue of discrimination against staff and students in faith schools. Follow our campaign: rationalist.com.au/campaigns/re...
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Reposted by Si Gladman
The Guardian reports that the sister of Victorian Liberal MP Renee Heath has, at an inquiry into cults and organised fringe groups, described their father’s church as a “cult” and said so-called “gay conversion” practices may still be occurring in the state.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Liberal MP’s sister says father’s church is a ‘cult’ where ‘gay conversion’ practices may still be happening
City Builders pastor’s daughter tells Victorian parliamentary inquiry into cults of ‘grave concerns’ about church
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The Guardian reports that the sister of Victorian Liberal MP Renee Heath has, at an inquiry into cults and organised fringe groups, described their father’s church as a “cult” and said so-called “gay conversion” practices may still be occurring in the state.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...