Prayers in Parliament

How do your representatives measure up?

Governing bodyLevelInclusion of prayersNSL Coverage
Federal parliament (House of Representatives and Senate)FederalChristian prayers, including the Lord's Prayer, recited at the opening of each sitting.
Australian Capital Territory Legislative AssemblyStateMembers invited to pray or reflect on their responsibility to the people.
New South Wales Legislation Council (Upper House)StateChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.14 November 2019
Prayers in parliament are counter to religious freedom
Northern Territory Legislative AssemblyStateChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.
Queensland Legislative AssemblyStateChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.
South Australian Legislative Council and House of AssemblyStateChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.
Tasmanian Legislative Assembly and Legislation CouncilStateChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.
Victorian Legislation Council (Upper House)StateChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.
Western Australian Legislative Assembly and Legislation CouncilStateChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.
Ararat, Rural City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Bathurst Regional Council, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Baw Baw, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Bayside, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Blue Mountains City Council, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Brisbane City Council, QLDLocalBrief Christian prayer recited.5 August 2020
Brisbane Council prayers: Time to get rid of this tradition

11 August 2020
Prayers enforced at Brisbane City Council
Campaspe, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Cardinia, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Central Coast Council, TASLocalChristian prayers read as part of opening procedure.
Central Goldfields, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Colac Otway Shire, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Corangamite Shire, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Darwin City Council, NTLocalA prayer is recited.
Fraser Coast Regional Council, VICLocalA Christian prayer of several minutes is recited by religious minister from the community.
Glenelg, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Gold Coast City Council, QLDLocalA prayer is recited.
Greater Dandenong, City of, VICLocalAn interfaith prayer is performed.
Hindmarsh, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Hornsby Shire, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Horsham, Rural City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Hume, City of, VICLocalAn interfaith prayer is performed.
Joondalup, City of, WALocalA brief prayer is recited.
Latrobe, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Loddon, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Manningham, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Maroondah, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Melton City Council, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Mildura, Rural City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Moira, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Moorabool, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Mornington Peninsula Shire, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Motion passed 8 Dec 2020 to replace prayer with secular pledge.
8 December 2020
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Removes Prayers
Mount Isa City Council, QLDLocalA prayer is recited.
Moyne, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Nillumbik, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Newcastle City Council, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Northern Grampians, Shire of, VICLocalAsks for God’s blessing on deliberations.
Perth City Council, WALocalA prayer is recited.
Pyrenees Shire, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Redland City Council, QLDLocal5-10 minute prayer session by invited representative, always Christian.18 August 2020
Council prayers contradict inclusion policies
Scenic Rim Regional Council, QLDLocalA Christian prayer is recited.
Shoalhaven City Council, QLDLocalA Christian prayer is recited.11 November 2020
Christian prayers mandated at Shoalhaven City Council
Southern Grampians, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
South Gippsland Shire, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Stirling City Council, WALocalA prayer is recited.
Swan Hill, Rural City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Tea Tree Gully, City of, SALocalA prayer is recited.
The Hills Shire Council, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Townsville City Council, QLDLocalA Christian prayer of several minutes is recited by religious minister from the community.
Towong, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Wagga Wagga, City of, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Wangaratta, Rural City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Warrnambool, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Waverley Council, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Wellington, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
West Wimmera, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Whitehorse, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Whittlesea, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Wollongong Council, NSWLocalA prayer is recited.
Wyndham, City of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.
Yarriambiack, Shire of, VICLocalA prayer is recited.