National Secular Lobby
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secularlobby.bsky.social
National Secular Lobby
@secularlobby.bsky.social
230 followers 24 following 130 posts
Advancing separation of religion and government in Australia.
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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
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
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
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
"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
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"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
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
"[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
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
"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'.
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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
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