SECULAR GOVERNMENT | Rationalist Society of Australia

RSA seeks answers from ABS on decision to continue using biased question

Si Gladman — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 03:35:41 +0000

The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought answers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on why it has decided to again use the biased Census religion question in the knowledge that it produces flawed data. In a letter to Chief Statistician David Gruen (pictured) yesterday, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman expressed disappointment that the […]

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Christian lobbyists pushing for Trump-style ‘faith offices’ in Australian governments

Si Gladman — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 01:17:25 +0000

Christian lobbyists will urge Australian governments to set up “faith offices” based on the one being established by the Trump Administration. Speaking on Christian radio program 20Twenty this week, Greg Bondar, of Christian Voice Australia, praised President Donald Trump’s announcement of a White House Faith Office and welcomed the idea of the body having a […]

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Defence Force failing to meet wellbeing needs of non-religious personnel, RSA tells committee

Si Gladman — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:48:21 +0000

The Australian Defence Force is failing to meet the wellbeing needs of its non-religious service personnel, the Rationalist Society of Australia has told a federal parliament committee. In a submission to an inquiry of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said it was possible that thousands […]

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RSA questions DFAT over top diplomat’s exaggerated claims about faith in Australia

Si Gladman — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:22:13 +0000

The foreign ministry has defended Australia’s focus on religion in its bilateral relationship with Papua New Guinea but has not responded to criticism that a top diplomat exaggerated claims about the importance of faith to Australians. In late December, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), writing on behalf of Minister Penny Wong (pictured), […]

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No answer yet on when government will respond to proposed reform of religious charities

Si Gladman — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 23:13:00 +0000

The Department of the Treasury has dodged a question in the Senate on when the Albanese government will provide a response to the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for reform of Basic Religious Charities (BRCs). In a written question submitted in November, Greens senator David Shoebridge asked directly for an answer on when the government would respond […]

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Exclusive: Air Force review calls for recruitment overhaul to protect against theology problems

Si Gladman — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:43:31 +0000

An investigation into the scandal-plagued Air Force chaplaincy branch has called for an overhaul of hiring processes to prevent further recruitment of staff whose theological views conflict with Defence values, it can be revealed. The Executive Summary of the Air Force Chaplaincy Review – an inquiry sparked by allegations of abuse and bullying among chaplains […]

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War Memorial confirms RSL to continue running Dawn Service despite imposition of Christianity

Si Gladman — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:39:13 +0000

The nation’s war memorial has confirmed it will continue to hand over responsibility of the Anzac Day Dawn Service to a veterans organisation that imposes worship in one religious tradition as part of the commemoration. In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) just before Christmas, a spokesperson for the Australian War Memorial […]

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Follow New Zealand’s lead on examining religious commercial enterprises, RSA urges Albanese government

Si Gladman — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 04:34:56 +0000

The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the Albanese government to follow New Zealand’s lead and examine the tax concessions of commercial enterprises owned by religious charities. In a letter to finance minister Katy Gallagher last month, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman said the tax concessions for religious-owned commercial enterprises, such as cereal maker Sanitarium, […]

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