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National Secular Lobby
@secularlobby.bsky.social
Advancing separation of religion and government in Australia.
Some positive news in the effort to prevent cults and other coercive control groups from operating as religion-based charities. #auspol
January 21, 2026 at 12:58 AM
The NSL is proud to once again be involved in the 'Census - Not Religious?" campaign in 2026, which aims to improve the accuracy of Census data. The campaign website is now live at censusnotreligious.org.au. #auspol #Census26
Census - Not Religious?
Not religious? Mark "No religion".
censusnotreligious.org.au
January 17, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Reposted by National Secular Lobby
📣 ANNOUNCEMENT: Leading up to Census day in August 2026, we'll be running another public campaign to encourage Australians to mark 'No Religion' if they are no longer religious. Check out the campaign website: censusnotreligious.org.au
#Census26 #NotReligious
January 16, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Anthony Albanese has announced tougher hate speech laws in response to the attack at #Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. The reforms aim to crack down on #antisemitism and extremist rhetoric, including targeting preachers who promote violence. #auspol
https://bit.ly/4s8uK32
'I'm not perfect': PM's concession as he reveals hate speech law reforms
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced sweeping reforms to crack down on antisemitism in the wake of the deadly terror attack on Sydney's Jewish community.     
bit.ly
December 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Welcome to the 14 December 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 14 December 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 14 December 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
December 13, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Documents obtained under FOI reveal that the ABS rejected arguments from religious groups that changing the biased census question on religion would be problematic — but went ahead and confirmed the use of the same question in 2026 anyway. #auspol

https://www.nsl.org.au/go/abs-census-2026-foi
December 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM
A hotline set up in 2023 claims to have identified more than 200 alleged historical child abuse offenders in the secretive Christian sect known as the Two by Twos. #auspol

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-08/aus-hotline-identifies-200-alleged-offenders-in-christian-sect/106044742
Exploitation and sexual abuse claims in Christian sect emerge via hotline
Jillian Hishon has devoted hundreds of hours, listening to an estimated 280 victims of historical child sexual abuse from within the fundamentalist Christian church she grew up in.
www.abc.net.au
December 13, 2025 at 9:25 PM
This is a truly shameful attempt at fearmongering by Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher. To refer to VAD "kill teams" and imply that aged care residents are at risk if another resident chooses VAD is a desperate and unworthy misrepresentation.

https://www.nsl.org.au/go/archbishop-vad-kill-teams
December 13, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Welcome to the 7 December 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 7 December 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 7 December 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
December 6, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Welcome to the 30 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 30 November 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 30 November 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
November 30, 2025 at 3:30 AM
"The leaders of extremist religious sect the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church this week tightened their grip over every aspect of their members’ lives and finances, while rejecting the prime minister’s accusation that they’re a cult." #auspol
https://bit.ly/4ocz2n2
‘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.
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Barrister Rachel Doyle, SC, has taken aim at judges and barristers who wear formal court robes to the Catholic Red Mass, saying it risked creating a perception of connection between the secular institution of the law and the religious institution. #auspol
https://bit.ly/4pkXYcO
Judges lashed for ‘rear guard action’ to rehabilitate Dyson Heydon
Rachel Doyle, SC, told a courtroom that women in the legal profession felt there was “a sunset clause” on caring about workplace sexual harassment.
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Welcome to the 23 November 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-23-november-2025/
Weekend Wrap for 23 November 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 23 November 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The NSW Legislative Council this week voted 23–16 against a Bill that would have allowed faith-based aged care facilities to decline offering Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) on site. #nswpol
https://www.theweeklysource.com.au/controversial-changes-to-nsw-vad-laws-rejected/
Controversial changes to NSW VAD laws rejected
Alex Greenwich, who introduced the original VAD legislation in 2021, said, the bill "would have cruelly limited access to voluntary assisted dying in aged care homes".
www.theweeklysource.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Welcome to the 16 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 16 November 2025 - National Secular Lobby
Catch up on the latest Australian secular news with the NSL's Weekend Wrap for 16 November 2025.
www.nsl.org.au
November 15, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The Queensland government has reshuffled its school curriculum board to introduce "a diverse skill set" — including a former Catholic Education director and a founding member of right-wing lobby group Advance Australia. #qldpol
https://bit.ly/47J5loD
Right-wing group founder added to Queensland school curriculum board
The Advance Australia founder is among three new members appointed to replace unceremoniously dumped union leaders.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 9:45 PM
A new push to change South Australia's abortion laws to limit terminations after 23 weeks was voted down in the state parliament's upper house this week. #saparli
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-12/sa-abortion-voted-down/106001338
Abortion legislation voted down in South Australian Parliament
A new push to change South Australia's abortion laws to limit terminations after 23 weeks has been voted down in state parliament's Upper House.
www.abc.net.au
November 15, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A number of religious (and non-religious) organisations continue to prioritise self-interest over the safety of children, some even becoming "more adversarial since the royal commission". #auspol
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.
#auspol
November 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
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