The Rationalist Society of Australia has sought confirmation from the Allan government on whether it will deliver its promise to replace parliamentary prayers with something more reflective of the Victorian community.

Executive Director Si Gladman today wrote to Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes after Ms Symes appeared to back down from the government’s commitment in a speech in parliament on Wednesday (see letter below).

Mr Gladman said it would be “very disappointing if the government backed down at the first sight” of public controversy over the issue.

“We are concerned to hear that the Victorian government could be backing down from its commitment to replace the state parliament’s daily Christian prayers with something more inclusive and welcoming of all Victorians,” he wrote.

“It has been almost 1100 days since the government, in 2021, committed to ‘workshopping a replacement model that is purpose-fit for Victoria’ if re-elected.

“While many conservative religious leaders, lobbyists and members of parliament oppose removing Christian prayers from parliament, your government should take a principled stand and reform parliament’s procedures to make the institution more inclusive, secular and better reflective of the community it serves.”

The Rationalist Society of Australia is actively lobbying and advocating for prayer rituals to be replaced with more appropriate practices in councils and parliaments. See the latest updates here.

Si Gladman is Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia. He also hosts ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast.

Image: Jacinta Allan (Facebook)

Letter to Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes, 2 August 2024

Dear Premier and Attorney-General,

We are concerned to hear that the Victorian government could be backing down from its commitment to replace the state parliament’s daily Christian prayers with something more inclusive and welcoming of all Victorians.

It has been almost 1100 days since the government, in 2021, committed to “workshopping a replacement model that is purpose-fit for Victoria” if re-elected.

Can you please confirm whether your government will deliver on this promise and continue to pursue a replacement model?

It would be very disappointing if the government backed down at the first sight of public controversy organised by conservative religious lobby groups.

We are confident that replacing prayers would have strong public support. While surveys are rare on this topic, research by The Australia Institute in 2022 found more than 60 per cent of the public in favour of replacing prayer rituals with more appropriate practices.

We note that a number of religious figures have campaigned for parliament to continue imposing prayers.

Yet, we know that many faith leaders cannot even command the support of their own flocks on numerous social issues. In his Religiosity in Australia series, social researcher Neil Francis demonstrated that large majorities of religious people supported legalising voluntary assisted dying and same-sex marriage, and access to abortions, while conservative religious leaders and groups opposed these.

While many conservative religious leaders, lobbyists and members of parliament oppose removing Christian prayers from parliament, your government should take a principled stand and reform parliament’s procedures to make the institution more inclusive, secular and better reflective of the community it serves.

Regards,

Si Gladman

Executive Director,

Rationalist Society of Australia