Weekend Wrap for 5 October 2025
Welcome to the NSL Weekend Wrap for 5 October 2025, where you can catch up on the latest secular-related news from around the country.
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At the National Level
A new report questions a key federal government claim that Australian public schools will be fully funded by 2034 under an agreement struck with the states. The Save Our Schools analysis argues the nation’s public schools will instead be underfunded by as much as $34.6bn over 10 years, led by NSW schools that will miss out on $20bn over the next decade. It comes as Commonwealth funding of private schools across the nation is around $20bn a year, or $55m a day. The damning report into the operation of the national Better and Fairer Funding for Schools Agreement undermines a key promise by Education Minister Jason Clare, who heralded the deal as a landmark achievement. (2 Oct 2025)
Read more at The Advertiser (archive capture)
Around the Country
WA: A Christian school that receives millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money says it gives its science students “different perspectives”, including the creationist perspective, in relation to human evolution. In articles published on its public website, West Australian-based Rehoboth Christian College blends religious myths with science in discussions about student activities and excursions as part of science classes. In an article about a Year 8 visit to Murdoch University’s science facilities, the school even highlights a comment from a student complaining about “gay flags and evolutionary talk” as being the one downside of the excursion. (28 Sep 2025)
Read more at the Rationalist Society of Australia
TAS/VIC: The Tasmanian Department of Health last week launched the The Unsaid Says A Lot campaign, developed in partnership with the Victorian Government, at the inaugural LGBTIQA+ Champions Day in Campbell Town. It aims to raise awareness and improve understanding of the experiences of trans and gender diverse people. Research shows that more than three in four trans and gender diverse people have been treated unfairly because of their gender identity. The impact of persistent stigma, discrimination and exclusion is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide across LGBTIQA+ communities. (1 Oct 2025)
Read more at Q News
NT: Voluntary assisted dying laws will be introduced to the Northern Territory Parliament, with the Country Liberal Government confirming it will move ahead with drafting a bill. On Tuesday, the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee handed down a report recommending VAD be adopted in the NT. Once the first place in the world to legalise voluntary euthanasia, the NT is now the only jurisdiction in Australia without an assisted dying scheme. Acting Chief Minister Gerard Maley acknowledged the LCAC report and confirmed it would be tabled when Parliament next sits later this month, with all members given the chance to contribute to debate. Members will be allowed a conscience vote when the time comes. (2 Oct 2025)
Read more at CathNews (originally published at NT News)
VIC: Multiple investigations are examining a Victorian church's response to child sexual offending committed by a senior pastor's son. Church insiders have accused its board of hiding information about a sexual assault committed by Joshua Emonson, the son of Encourage Church's senior pastor Tim Emonson. Critics of the board argue the church had a duty of care to announce the pastor's son was facing child sex charges, given his regular contact with minors in the youth program and Kidzone. (2 Oct 2025)
Read more at ABC News
Commentary and Analysis
Madeleine Heffernan and Kishor Napier-Raman: Calm down, say Brethren, as they pay $1 to buy their members’ silence forever
"From time to time, there’s an argument about whether our old mates in the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church are running a cult. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used the c-word to describe the group, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, after its members flocked to Peter Dutton’s election campaign. But after a recent spate of reporting, the Brethren rushed out a statement denying the description, saying: 'Our church meets no definition of cult.' We-ell. A missive that crossed CBD’s desk recently suggests otherwise. In the lead-up to what they call “fellowship meetings” in December – three-day get-togethers of preaching, socialising and booze – the Brethren’s leader, Bruce D. Hales, sought to impose a level of control members have never seen before." (30 Sep 2025)
Read more at The Age
Oliver Lee-Young: Last Cab to Darwin director advocates for voluntary assisted dying as film marks 10-year anniversary
"As Last Cab to Darwin marks its 10th anniversary, the film's director says he holds the story — which tackles the subject of voluntary assisted dying — closer to heart than ever before, with his own family battling terminal illness. The provocative 2015 film is based on the true story of a terminally ill taxi driver, who travels to the Northern Territory in 1996, on a mission to access voluntary assisted dying, or VAD care, in the only Australian jurisdiction where it was legal. However, a decade on from the film's premiere and 30 years since the law first passed, the NT is now the only state or territory without VAD after the federal government repealed the territory's legislation in 1997." (1 Oct 2025)
Read more at ABC News
Events and Campaigns
ONGOING
The full videos of presentations and panel discussions from the 2023 Secularism Australia Conference are freely available for viewing on the Secularism Australia website and on YouTube!
The Australia Institute are calling on federal parliament to pass truth in political advertising laws that are nationally consistent, constitutional and uphold freedom of speech. View the petition at The Australia Institute
The Human Rights Law Centre are running a website for those who want to support an Australian Charter of Human Rights & Freedoms. Visit the Charter of Rights website here
The Australian Education Union is running a campaign calling for “every school, every child” to receive fair education funding. Support the campaign here.
The Human Rights for NSW alliance is running a campaign calling for NSW to pass a Human Rights Act.
That's it for another week!
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