Weekend Wrap for 26 September 2021
Welcome to the NSL Weekend Wrap for 26 September 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
Could there be a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine? (ABC News)
Regional Australians will have better access to voluntary euthanasia under a Queensland-led push to overhaul commonwealth law that bans doctors from “inciting or counselling” suicide over the phone or internet. (The Australian; Paywalled)
Cardinal George Pell has spent the past several months in Sydney, as the Catholic Church prepares for its first reform conference in more than 80 years. (The Saturday Paper)
Around the Country
NSW: Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP is calling on Catholics in NSW to fight the push for assisted suicide laws in the state after Queensland lost its own battle last week. (The Catholic Weekly)
NSW: A series of meetings has begun to help rectors and churchwardens grapple with COVID health measures as Freedom Day approaches in New South Wales in October. (Sydney Anglicans)
VIC: More on Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy's supposed promise to roll back the state’s "world-leading" law banning harmful conversion practices. (Star Observer)
QLD: Queensland's members of parliament voted emphatically to legalise euthanasia last week, reflecting public opinion, but "without heeding Church, medical and ethical advice that it signals a life-or-death societal shift". (The Catholic Leader)
Commentary and Analysis
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.
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!