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Brethren and Pentecostal cults and the 'quid pro quo' for Australia's democracy

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 5d

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

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 12d

"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

As the links between extreme religious cults and Liberal Party politicians pile up, managing editor Michelle Pini considers the 'quid pro quo'.

Weekend Wrap for 28 September 2025 - National Secular Lobby

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 12d

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/

Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 28 September 2025.

Future Liberal leader or party disruptor? Andrew Hastie and the rise of the âMaga rightâ

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 14d

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

WA MP offers a divisive brand of politics that shuns net zero and migration and is anchored in flag-waving patriotism, faith and family

Qld women denied chosen miscarriage care say it's like something from the US

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 15d

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...

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.

Christian extremism: An American ideological contagion in the Australian context - Rationale Magazine

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Reposted by National Secular Lobby

Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 16d

“...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

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

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 19d

"As white Christian nationalism grows more assertive, we must tell the truth about Australia’s religious diversity." #auspol
https://www.abc.net.au/religion/white-christian-nationalism-and-australia-religious-diversity/105791326

As white Christian nationalism grows more assertive, we must tell the truth about Australia’s religious diversity - ABC Religion & Ethics

While Anglo Australians march against migration and politicians rail against migrant groups, it is important to remember that these diverse communities have long histories on this continent — they are integral to our religious and social fabric.

Weekend Wrap for 21 September 2025 - National Secular Lobby

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 19d

Welcome to the 21 September 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...

Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 21 September 2025.

South Australians reflect on life, 50 years after homosexuality was decriminalised

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 19d

It's been 50 years since South Australia decriminalised homosexuality, the first state to do so! #auspol #saparli
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-20/sa-50-year-anniversary-decriminalisation/105749058

Since homosexuality was decriminalised in South Australia half a century ago, LGBTIQA+ people say the state has made strides, but there is still some way to go towards equality.

'Not worth it. I'd rather tell you': Mick Dover turned down $1m to do this interview

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 19d

The controversial religious group formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren offered a man $1 million to stay silent about his allegations of being brutally assaulted as a child by three of its members. #bigbrethren #auspol
http://bit.ly/421N6ra

The controversial church offered to settle with Mick Dover over his allegations of abuse, but only if he signed a non-disclosure agreement and agreed not to disparage them in any way.

Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism.

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 19d

Watch this past week's Four Corners, where former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church speak about the manipulation, surveillance, and threats the church allegedly used against them. #auspol
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-15/big-brethren/105776410

Big Brethren

Janet suffered for months waiting for assisted dying. A doctor shortage in the regions prolonged her pain

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 19d

Victorians warn that a shortage of doctors in rural areas hinders terminally ill people from accessing euthanasia support, despite sweeping reforms designed to bring the state’s assisted dying framework in line with other states. #auspol #assisteddying
http://bit.ly/4pxr8X9

Terminally ill people living in rural and regional Victoria are dying before they can be approved for the medication they need to end their lives, families say.

Former minister working for three companies linked to controversial religious group

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 19d

Parliament is not a place for worship, and certainly not sectarian worship. Any parliament claiming to represent all citizens - and claiming to provide and protect a right to religious freedom - should not be endorsing or engaging in the practice of a single religion. #auspol @albomp.bsky.social

Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 23d

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says one thing about the principle of separation of church and state but his government is doing another thing when it comes to imposing daily acts of Christian worship in the federal parliament. More: rationalist.com.au/albanese-gov...
#auspol @albomp.bsky.social

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Reposted by National Secular Lobby

Rationalist Society of Australia @ausrationalist.bsky.social · 21d

These are just some of the experiences of psychological harm, personal restrictions and recruitment tactics shared with the Victorian parliamentary committee examining cults and high‑control groups. Read more on the committee’s website: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/cofg-questio...
#SpringSt

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 26d

"Within months of leaving parliament, former health minister Greg Hunt started working for a Plymouth Brethren-linked company whose owners won $135 million in government contracts for COVID supplies." #auspol
http://bit.ly/3VixBr5

The Sydney-based church has been described by former members and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a "cult".

Try again on religious discrimination laws, says Islamophobia envoy

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 26d

Make religious belief a protected attribute in federal anti-discrimination law—as long as we don't also introduce special privileges allowing the religious to discriminate against other groups. #auspol
http://bit.ly/48cvI6P

In a landmark report, newly-appointed Aftab Malik also calls for counter-terrorism laws and approaches to be reviewed, and for national inquiries into Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.

Weekend Wrap for 14 September 2025 - National Secular Lobby

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 26d

Welcome to the 14 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-14-september-2025/

Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 14 September 2025.

Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism. These fearless and forensic documentaries expose scandals, trigger inquiries, fire debate and confront taboos.

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · 26d

This week on Four Corners, former members of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church speak about the manipulation, surveillance & threats the church allegedly uses, as well as attempts at political penetration. Mon 8:30pm, ABC TV & iview. #auspol
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/four-corners

Four Corners

iview.abc.net.au

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · Sep 6

New research reveals a profound shift in Australian attitudes towards religious education in government schools, with support for religion being taught at least once a week falling from 72% in 1997/98 to 50% in 2024/25. #auspol

http://bit.ly/4nnyScy

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · Sep 6

Welcome to the 7 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-7-september-2025/

Weekend Wrap for 7 September 2025 - National Secular Lobby

Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 7 September 2025.

‘I’m glad we didn’t win’: Liberal campaigners feared Brethren-fuelled Dutton victory

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · Sep 6

"The Plymouth Brethren … pumped so much cash and on-the-ground support into the Liberal Party’s 2025 election campaign that some party officials feared the religious sect would hold significant sway over an incoming Peter Dutton government."

http://bit.ly/47BmcKt

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church was so enmeshed in local Liberal campaigns that they were cleaning candidates’ houses. Now a new inquiry has been launched.

Essential Research 2021 Census Religiosity Polls Data - National Secular Lobby

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · Aug 31

For anyone interested, here are the surveys we ran just before the 2021 #census which showed a 12% difference in the number of people saying they had a religion, based on the wording of the question. #auspol
www.nsl.org.au/resources/su...

Data from two polls commissioned by the NSL and conducted by Essential Research during July 2021 on the religiosity of Australians.

Essential Research 2021 Census Religiosity Polls Data - National Secular Lobby

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National Secular Lobby @secularlobby.bsky.social · Aug 31

For anyone interested, here are the surveys we ran just before the 2021 #census which showed a 12% difference in the number of people saying they had a religion, based on the wording of the question. #auspol
www.nsl.org.au/resources/su...

Data from two polls commissioned by the NSL and conducted by Essential Research during July 2021 on the religiosity of Australians.