Weekend Wrap for 18 July 2021
Welcome to the NSL Weekend Wrap for 18 July 2021, where you can catch up on the latest secular-related news from around the country.
Don’t forget that the Weekend Wrap, which aims to help secular-minded Australians keep abreast of the latest news on current issues, is also published on our Facebook page!
At the National Level
Doctors who do not want to help the terminally ill access voluntary assisted dying should be made to declare their objection within 24 hours after Victorian patients were “obstructed” from accessing the scheme, a parliamentary inquiry has heard. Legislation before Queensland’s parliament gives doctors the right to refuse to provide information about VAD or participate in the scheme, but they must refer the patient to another doctor. (The Australian)
Is the pandemic causing more people to turn to religion? (The Age)
In international news, the European Union’s highest court has reaffirmed that companies in Europe can bar women from wearing headscarves on the job, a ruling that holds consequences for the balance between the freedom of religion and the rights of employers to apply policies requiring religious neutrality. (SMH)
Around the Country
QLD: Suffering Queenslanders seeking to end their own lives would not first need to see a specialist doctor, sparking fears among euthanasia opponents that families might go 'doctor shopping'. (Brisbane Times)
QLD: Queensland doctors have backed a push by churches to enshrine their right to refuse access to voluntary assisted dying at faith-based hospitals and aged-care homes. (The Australian)
WA: Christian conservative group FamilyVoice Australia has likened the West Australian government’s policy of refusing to lease its entertainment venues to groups with alternative views to the government to communistic ideology. (FamilyVoice Australia)
WA: Western Australian based organisation True Identity, in collaboration with the Australian Christian Lobby, are pushing for the McGowan Government to resist introducing laws which would stop religious based counsellors from treating people for, what they describe as – unwanted same-sex attraction. Equality advocates however describe the practice as nothing more than “gay conversion therapy”, and have repeated their call for the McGowan Government to ban the practice as other states have. (Out in Perth)
VIC: Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli is facing dissent from within over ambitious plans to restructure almost 200 parishes across the city. In the wake of Australia’s clergy abuse scandal, Archbishop Comensoli has warned that the archdiocese had reached a “threshold” and could “sink into the sunset” without structural reform.
Commentary and Analysis
Liberal Party senator Alex Antic has launched an attack on the ABC, writes Steve Bishop, branding it as a left-wing activist group undermining our society. (Independent Australia)
Humanists Australia CEO Dr Heidi Nicholl discusses the question on religion in the upcoming census. (SMH)
Noel Turnbull writes on religiosity, the census collection of religion data, and the Census21 campaign now currently being run by a group of Australian pro-secular organisations (including the NSL). (Pearls and Irritations)
Former Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox reflects on being the instigator for the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. (News of the Area)
The ACL doubles down on its criticism of Victoria's anti-conversion therapy laws. (ACL)
Events and Advisories
Dying With Dignity NSW has a tool that makes it easy for people to contact their federal MPs and senators to request help in repealing the "Andrews Bill", the 1997 legislation which denies the Territories the right to pass legislation on Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Visit the #QLD4VAD website to learn more about the campaign to introduce VAD laws into Queensland.
The Noosa Temple of Satan is currently running a federal parliamentary petition to remove Christian prayers from parliament. The practice of reciting an exclusively Christian prayer discriminates against non-Christians. Related article
The Rationalist Society of Australia are running a webinar with Michael Dove, leader of the Census21 campaign, on 28th July, to present on how Aussies will have greater freedom in answering the religion question at next month’s census.
Expressions of interest are now open for the Victorian Government’s LGBTIQ+ Taskforce, along with the Health and Wellbeing and Justice Working Groups. These groups ensure the Government is well-informed about LGBTIQ+ issues and shape policies and initiatives.
That's it for another week!
Until next time, please follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
Don't forget to add your voice to the #DontDivideUs campaign against the Religious Discrimination Bill.
And if you are able, please consider making a small monthly contribution to the NSL to help us raise the secular profile in Australia. Every dollar helps!