The Secular Party of Australia
Media Release: Governments should not promote religion
What is the appropriate role of government in relation to religion in Australia?
Section 116 of our Constitution says that “The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion”.
Over recent decades, the intentions of our founding forbears have been betrayed. “Now, any sect, cult or religion can receive government funding to promote their beliefs” says Ian Bryce, Secular Party candidate for the Senate in NSW. “This is unjust, inappropriate, and will undermine the future harmony of Australian society”, he says.
The Secular Party stands for upholding and restoring for upholding and restoring the intention of the Australian Constitution. In past times of religious conflict, the importance of secular principles was well recognised. Now, as new forms of religious conflict threaten peace and harmony, both locally and globally, the importance of secularism must again be recognised.
It is the policy of the Secular Party that faith schools should not receive government funding. To be eligible for school fee tax rebates, non-government government schools should not be biased biased in favour of any particular religion. They should either teach comparative religion, or teach their faith programmes outside school hours in non-compulsory sessions.
The Secular Party strongly supports the continuation and expansion of the ethics classes in NSW schools. In the long term they would like to see universal principles such as freedom, compassion, justice, and honesty replace the narrow minded and selfish doctrines of religions.
The Secular Party is for the first time fielding thirty-one candidates across Australia. In NSW, the party is focussing particularly on the seats of Sydney and Wentworth.
Ian Bryce, along with other candidates, will launch the party’s NSW campaign at a party meeting at Pellegrinis, 107 Elliot St Balmain, at 6.30pm, Friday 13 August 2010.
For details contact Ian Bryce, mailto:ianbryce@secular.org.au, tel 0408 177007
The Secular Party of Australia
PO Box 6004, Melbourne Vic 8008
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