13 Oct 2008 - Review of Australia's future tax system

Secular Party Submission

The Secular Party accepts that some of the activities of religious organisations may be charitable, however we object to “the advancement of religion”, as such, in the definition of charitable purpose. Its inclusion is unduly broad, inequitable, anachronistic (dating from medieval times), and gives rise to several glaring anomalies.

In our submission we provide detailed estimates of the revenue and assets of churches and of the cost to taxpayers of the tax concessions and subsidies that are afforded to religious organizations. We submit that the current Review provides an opportunity for a modern approach to the definition of charitable purpose to be implemented.

Read the full Secular Party submission

 

06 October 2008 - Catholics and the Victorian abortion Bill

Secular Party Press Release

Freedom of religion, thought and conscience is a declared human right. It is cited in the Victorian Charter of Rights and Responsibilities. It does not specify that believers have a right to impose their beliefs on others.

If Catholics have a religious belief that compels them to oppose abortion, then it is their right to hold that belief. Others are entitled to hold beliefs that do not compel them to oppose abortion in all circumstances.

If a prospective patient seeks an abortion then it is apparent that that patient does not have a belief that accords with Catholic doctrine. Yet the Catholic Health Australia wants to impose their beliefs on such patients by refusing to counsel them on the options available. It is quite right that the proposed abortion Bill seeks to prevent the Catholic hierarchy from imposing their doctrines on patients in this way.

The objections of the Church raise a deeper question. In a secular society it is anomalous that religions should be in charge of running what are effectively public hospitals. If the Catholic hospitals refuse to respect the human rights of patients, then the State should take over the running of these hospitals.

Contact: John L Perkins, President. Tel 0411 143744

09 September 2008 - Hillsong Church has no place in public schools

Secular Party Press Release

The Secular Party of Australia has expressed serious concerns with reports that an extremist religious cult, The Hillsong Church, is using public schools as recruiting grounds and probably violating the Public Schools Act. The NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Association has reported that about 30 public schools in NSW are allowing the Hillsong Church to conduct barbecues promoting their religious beliefs during school hours.

"Schools should be a place for objective learning and free thinking," said party spokesperson Jeremy O’Wheel. "It’s bad enough that public schools are allowed an hour a week of religious teachings without more time being given to religious fundamentalism. Schools should be about education, not indoctrination. 30% of Australians have no religious beliefs. If those people don’t want their children to be preached at, where can they send their children to school?"

For more information contact : Jeremy O’Wheel 0404 621

28 Aug 2008 - Inquiry into the Disclosure regimes for charities and not-for-profit organisations

Secular Party Submission

In the current disclosure regime, there is little distinction between charities and religious non-charities. This lack of distinction affects both the current regulatory regime and the tax regime.

The regulatory shortcomings historically arise principally as a result of the continuation of an archaic feature of Australia's tax regime. The origins of this lie in the Preamble to Statute of Elizabeth, or the Statute of Charitable Uses (1601), following which all religious activities came to be deemed as charitable.

As a result in Australia today, all the operations of religious organisations are deemed charitable and are thus unregulated and tax exempt. Due to the persistence of this medieval doctrine, Australia is one of only three countries in the world where these exemptions extend even to the commercial operations of religious organisations.

We submit that a rational reform of the disclosure regime for charities, is necessary to improve transparency and accountability in this sector. It is also an essential first step in addressing the anomalous situation whereby tax exemptions are extended to religious organisations for activities that are not bona fide charitable activities.

Read the full Secular Party submission

July 2008

Catholic World Youth Day response

• Secular Party endorses the No to Pope Coalition. Rally Sat 19th July, Taylor Square, Sydney. 12pm. See also the alternative World Truth Day
• Melbourne rally organised by the Melbourne University Secular Society, Youth Against WYD Parliament House steps, Spring St, 13 July, 1:30pm
• ANSA Conference, Wed 9th July Australia and New Zealand's Secular Heritage and it's Future. NSW Parilamentary Theatrette

2 April 2008

Catholic World Youth Day is state sponsored pilgrimage

The NSW government is flouting Freedom of Information laws to conceal the bankrolling of Catholic World Youth Day, President of the Secular Party of Australia, John Perkins said.

It has been reported that constituents have sought details on funding via the FOI act. Fees were paid to retrieve this information, but when received, all the relevant figures had been deleted. Citizens have a right to know how their taxes are spent. To withhold this information is contemptuous behaviour from a government supposed to be acting on behalf of their constituents.

Reports of a leaked briefing to priests allege the cost of the day has now blown out to $150 million. Federal grants are funding 20 to 24 per cent of this figure. In addition to this is $41 million compensation for the use of Randwick racecourse and $20 million for services such as policing, security and sleeping accommodation at public schools. Some estimates calculate the real cost to be in excess of $200 million even before consideration of the carbon footprint.

We are told our Australian governments are secular. 25.8% of Australians are Catholic. This is nothing but state-sponsored religion for just a quarter of the population.

Public education, the health system and other exemplary components of our community routinely beg for funding which is often refused. This outrageous waste of public funds to support a Catholic World Youth Day pilgrimage cannot be justified.

Contact: John Perkins, President. Phone: 0411 143744

7 November 2007

Campaign Launch Media Release - New political party challenges religion

A new political party has been started to voice concerns about the role of religion in modern society.

Since the events of Sept 11, 2001, and the "war on terror", Party President, John Perkins, says: "Many people who are not allied with any particular religion have become worried that ancient religious conflicts are now being conducted using the weapons of modern technology. The world seems to have forgotten that secularism was invented a couple of centuries ago to solve just this kind of problem".

The Secular Party says that secularism is a humanist political philosophy based on reason, rationality, impartiality and peace between religions. To promote this vision, the Party has policies that seek to separate religion from state institutions and to protect human rights, especially those of children, from the adverse influence of frightening and divisive religious doctrines.

We are becoming less religious, but the influence of religion is increasing. As well as political statements by religious leaders such as Archbishop Pell, and presentations to church groups by both Mr Howard and Mr Rudd, there are now new religious political parties and groups such as the Australian Christian Lobby.

"It is time for a debate about religion in politics. The Secular Party Australia has been established to voice this need. We offer a positive alternative, based on the secular humanist ethical values of compassion, honesty, freedom and justice" Dr Perkins says.

The Secular Party of Australia launched its 2007 election campaign on Friday 9 November, 5pm at Drummoyne RSL, 162 Victoria Rd, Drummoyne 2047.

6 November 2007

Dr Philip Nitschke and the Secular Party join forces

In a joint statement, Mr. John August, NSW Secretary of the Secular Party of Australia, and Dr. Philip Nitschke announced a joint promotion agreement.

The Secular Party is a new arrival in Australian Politics. We are fielding Senate candidates in six states, challenging the religious influence on politics in Australia, and championing individual freedom against increasing religious influence.

Dr. Philip Nitschke is a director of Exit International, a group spearheading Voluntary Euthanasia in Australia, running a continuing program to inform people of their options at the end of their lives. Dr. Nitschke is contesting the Victorian seat of Menzies in the lower house.

There is a great deal of overlap in our policy aims; the Secular Party sees the rejection of Voluntary Euthanasia laws by Australian Parliament as a narrowly based intervention made for religious reasons rather than an endorsement of people's freedom and autonomy.

Exit International deals at the coalface with Australia's strange and draconian laws regarding censorship, personal autonomy , and the carriage of internet traffic. Australia is in no way a totalitarian state - but given the increasing number of such laws which have been slipped in without the notice of the Australian Public - by golly - we are inching our way in that direction.

It was the Kevin Andrews' Private Member's Bill supported by many on both sides of parliament - that led to the overturning of the world's first Voluntary Euthanasia law, the Northern Territory's Rights of the Terminally Ill Act in 1997.

Kevin Andrews' seat is Menzies. This is the seat which Dr. Nitschke is contesting to underline the general support that Australians have for Voluntary Euthaniasia and the fact that elected representatives make these laws contrary to community feeling, illustrating the sway that the religious lobby have on politics in Australia.

There has been a groundswell of disatisfaction with the Howard Government, and both the Secular Party and Dr. Nitschke are both aware of the long history of religiously motivated intervention and special treatment on the part of the Howard Government. Nevertheless, it is worth pointing out that Kevin Rudd and other senior Labor Party politicians are all hostile to Voluntary Euthaniasia.

The Secular Party of Australia wishes Dr. Nitschke the best of success in his Menzies campaign, and Dr. Nitschke wishes the best to all Secular Party candidates over Australia. We hope that collectively we will show how strong the influence of religion on politics in Australia is, and just how desperately it needs to be eliminated.

Contacts : Philip Nitschke 0407 189339 John August 0419 683353

Philip Nitschke Menzies Campaign

27 September 2007

Australia, Coal and Global Warming

Global warming is a dire problem, and Australia, as the world's leading coal exprorter, can do someting about it. So argues research economist and Party President, John L Perkins.

Newspaper article.

20 August 2007

Freethought Parties Merge

The two new political parties vying for the votes of freethinkers in Australia have merged. Both the Freedom From Religion Party and the Secular Party had the aim of "keeping religion out of politics". In particular, our joint aims may be described as separation of religion from the institutions of state, neutrality between religions, and protection of human rights from religious interference.

While these aims describe modern secularism, the phrase "freedom from religion" neatly encapsulates them. We continue to endorse, of course, the more commonly used term "freedom of religion", of which secularism is the primary guarantee.

As a result of the merger, the Secular Party has adopted "Freedom from Religion" as the primary slogan or sub-heading, and Frank Gomez has been appointed Vice President of the Secular Party.

11 August 2007 - Howard and Rudd at the Hillsong church

Secular Party Press Release

Following Mr Howard's and Mr Rudd's joint appearance at the Hillsong Church, to canvass Christian voters, I would like to ask both of them the following question. Out of all the possible religions that have been known to humanity, why is it that you think that yours is the only one that is true?

I think I may assume that Mr Howard and Mr Rudd will be unable to provide a rational answer to this question, because there is none. Yet despite their differences, Mr Howard and Mr Rudd both claim that their religious beliefs provide them with their essential guiding principles. If someone is unable to give a rational account of what most deeply motivates them, are they really a suitable candidate for high office?

Given the world's problems, is religion part of the solution or is it part of the problem? This is a question that many people are now beginning to ask. Rather than religion, a far better solution is to seek rational answers based on universal principles such as compassion, freedom, honesty and justice.

John L Perkins
President, Secular Party of Australia
Tel 0411 143744

10 August 2007 - ABS Statistics on Atheism and Religious Belief

Secular Party Press Release

"The recent 2006 ABS statistics demonstrate that, contrary to perceptions about the increasing influence of new evangelical churches, Australia is undergoing a continuing shift towards less religious belief.", said John August, NSW Secretary and media spokesperson for the Secular Party of Australia.

The statistics show that young people are becoming more non religious. As Lisa Pryor wrote recently 'Atheism is a wonderful gift to give a child'.

This greater prevalence of atheism, together with the recent surge in popularity of books focused on Atheism, indicates more Australians think religions are unnecessary to a valid moral code and sense of purpose - a trend the Secular Party will reflect.

This trend suggests Australians will become more concerned about - and reject - the growing religious influence on politics. Howard has long pursued a religious agenda under the cover of "family values". Rudd has also professed strong religious beliefs.

Which is not to criticise the Liberal Party as such. When John Hewson was leader, the party embraced ideals of tolerance and personal freedom of lifestyle and belief. Under Howard, the Liberal party has turned its back on these traditions, and turned towards a reactionary, conservative agenda of religious intervention. We wonder if Labor would be any different in Government.

The Secular Party embraces the tolerance which the Liberal Party has lost, from all angles. We endorse the right of all citizens to whatever personal beliefs they see fit to have - with the proviso that Government policy remains independent.

It is interesting to note that believers are also growing more tolerant and secular - a Newspoll survey commissioned in early 2006 by the Secular Party of Australia (in conjunction with the Australian National Secular Association and the NSW Humanists) showed that 49% of self identifying Catholics believed in legal recognition of same sex marriages - together with more than half of the general population.

We in the Secular Party look forward to riding the wave of increasing Secularism - and plan to articulate this important developing awareness. We plan to endorse candidates in the upcoming Federal Election, so Australians will be better able to express their concerns at the ballot box.

For more information, contact :

John August, NSW Secretary.
0419 683 353

Ian Bryce, NSW Campaigns Manager
0408 177 007

7 June 2007 - Victorian Government School Uniform Inquiry.

Secular Party Submission

The Secular Party has argued that school uniforms should not make allowances for religious sensibilities. Rather than being an infringement of religious liberties, as is commonly supposed, such a policy is actually protective of religious freedom. Equal opportinity legislation specifies freedom to choose between religions. We argue that dressing school children, especially young children, in religious costumes serves to remove this freedom of choice, not enhance it.

Inquiry details.

Secular Party submission

30 October 2006 - Federally Funded Chaplains.

Joint Press Release

By initiating “a national chaplaincy program”, the Federal Government renewed and exacerbated harm for upcoming generations of students. The very act of a system authorized by parliament gives undue credibility to a set of myths, which are not supported by known facts. This is nothing less than the manipulation of the minds of children who are still learning critical analysis skills.

Existing chaplaincy programs demonstrate overwhelming attraction of the zealous evangelical/fundamentalist/Pentecostal side of Christianity whose one purpose in life is to win converts. The effects on students with other ‘faiths’ or none, will be negative, as their ‘beliefs’ or lack thereof are not privileged with the same government sanction. “Non-denominational” in essence, means Christian supremacy.

The consideration, that ‘values’ rest mainly within the precinct of a particular religion is patently false and arrogant. Such thinking emanates from religiously indoctrinated politicians and not from clear-headed evaluation of available empirical evidence. In fact, the opposite can often result exampled by an unnecessary confusion on social mores and curtailment of scientific endeavour.

Leaving the introduction of chaplaincy programs to cash strapped or agenda driven school councils and principals is inviting the worst outcome possible. The priority of the education system must be that properly trained professionals perform counselling of children. A few weeks course by persons of strong religious persuasion is a recipe with consequences that will include detrimental exploitation of young minds.

The duty of care to Australia’s most vulnerable citizens is compromised by curricula emphasising reliance on ‘faith’ over actual teaching of knowledge. Governments are elected to safeguard an open society, including its youngest members and not to propagandise narrow divisive viewpoints. Moreover, whether the official promotion of Christianity is an infringement of the overall intent of Section 116 of the Australian Constitution is a moot point.

We call upon members of parliament, state and federal, to not support this or any chaplaincy program but rather build upon existing initiatives more conducive to a pluralist society.

David Nicholls
President, Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc

Ian Robinson
President, Rationalist Society of Australia

John L Perkins
President, Secular Party of Australia

Dr Max Wallace
Australian National Secular Association (ANSA)

Humanist Society of Queensland

Steve Maxwell
Secretary, Rationalist Association of NSW

Humanist Society of NSW

27 September 2006

Why Costello is wrong about secularism.

In a speech condemned by Muslim leaders, the Australian Treasurer, Peter Costello defended the Pope's criticism of Islam. Speaking on 23 September to the Australian Christian Lobby, Costello also advocated the merits of secularism. In this he held up Turkey as an example of a country that other Muslim nations should follow.

There was much in what the Treasurer said that made sense. The attitude from which his view derives however, has much to do with myth, misconception and misrepresentation. There is certainly much to be recommended in secularism. It does indeed promote economic progress as well as democracy - in fact it necessary for both. This was well recognised by Ataturk, who firmly entrenched secularism in Turkey for these very reasons. Turkey is a good example of secular state in a Muslim country, which is precisely why Muslims leaders do not like it. As Islam is inherently non-secular, they therefore see it as a betrayal of their faith.

Despite these positives, Mr Costello's speech had serious problems. There is more than irony in an avowedly Christian politician lecturing Muslims at a Christian gathering on how they should implement their religion. But this was not the worst of Costello's arrogance and hypocrisy. He claimed that secularism was part of Christian doctrine. Centuries of religious strife in Europe indicate otherwise.

Mr Costello is further in error when he promotes the myth that Australia is a secular country, Apart from the fact that the High Court in 1981 declared that there is no separation of church and state in Australia, Mr Costello also openly declares that Australia was founded on so called "Christian values". These values are no doubt what leads to the enormous tax breaks given to religions and the fact that 70 percent of Federal funding for education goes to religious schools. These are hardly characteristics of a secular state, Mr Costello.

The underlying danger of the behaviour of people such as Mr Costello is that they just don't see the problem. They are therefore in fact themselves part of the problem. Attacking Muslims is not a solution. What should be attacked are ideologies, not the people who adhere to them. While people may be amenable to reason, they will not be amenable to coercion. People such as Mr Costello are unable to see things this way because they themselves are victims on the same faults as the people they criticise. You cannot advocate rationalism if you are yourself incapable or unamenable to it.

The great tragedy of the so-called "war on terror", of which Mr Costello and his Party are major proponents, is that it is entirely misconceived. The lesson of Ataturk, which Costello applauds, he has not himself followed. It is quite pointless to seek to impose democracy in any Islamic country without first securing secularism. The religious servitude implied by the rule of "God's law" is plainly incompatible with the rule of law as determined democratically. This is an obvious fact, confirmed by numerous examples, which seems like many others, to have been strangely elusive to Western "intelligence".

The consequences of this strategic blunder, that religious blindness on all sides has led to, are almost incalculable. The invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq were purported to be to install democracy. Democracy is impossible without secularism, yet in no way has secularism been promoted by these invasions. Instead, Islam has been entrenched in the new constitutions of both Afghanistan and Iraq, thus condemning these countries to long term totalitarianism. The Western military involvement in these countries is now a doomed enterprise in pursuit of a goal that has already been rendered unachievable.

The only hope is that the world will somehow come to its senses, recognise that the pursuit of ancient religious ideologies is unnecessary, undesirable and inherently destructive. Instead, it is desperately necessary that we dedicate ourselves to the common good of humanity, based on the universal principles of freedom, justice, honesty and compassion.

(Dr) John L Perkins
President, Secular Party of Australia

18 August 2006

Statement about Lebanon

The Secular Party of Australia, while recognising the right of a nation to defend itself from attacks and from having its citizens kidnapped, believes that in the recent hostilities, the Israeli response was quite disproportionate. An endless escalation of the cycle of violence offers no prospect of peace...

On-line article.

18-19 June 2006

Major public conference on Secularism

On-line article.

16 June 2006 - National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships

Secular Party Submission

There can be no doubt that many legal provisions that discriminate against same-sex relationships violate basic human rights. The question, rather, is why have these violations been implemented, upheld and lately, even reinforced?

Presumably some defence of these violations may be found in the provision that basic human rights may be limited, but only “for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in democratic society" (UN UDHR Article 29)(32). Again presumably, the violations may be countenanced under this provision on the grounds that same-sex relationships violate some view of morality.

However this argument is hardly ever put explicitly by legislators because it is so vacuous. Quite obviously same-sex relationships, do not, of themselves, cause any harm. Therefore, based on universal moral principles, there are no grounds for suggesting they are immoral. Instead, it is quite apparent that the perceptions of morality that motivate legislators derive from their religious beliefs, or from the beliefs of religious pressure groups to which they respond.

It is widely claimed by religious leaders, that religious beliefs, of themselves, provide reliable instruction in morality. These claims are widely accepted. However these claims are quite bogus. There are no grounds whatsoever for contending that rules based on dogma derived from ancient cultural mythology should be preferred to modern ethical standards. Conversely the dishonest truth claims and entrenched bigotry that is to some extent a necessary part of all religions inevitably lead to violations of the universal moral principles of compassion, honesty, freedom and justice.

Erroneous religious perceptions of morality necessarily intrude in this way on the legitimate rights and freedoms of individuals. Where governments implement these views in legislation they not only violate secular principles, but they violate morality based on universal values. Proponents of such bigotry should cease and desist from this unwarranted intrusion and interference in the lives of citizens.

John L Perkins
President, Secular Party of Australia

Secular Party submission

14 April 2006

The Secular Party on Channel 10

As part of its 'Watercooler' segment on the 9am with David & Kim program, Channel 10 presented a discussion about the question "Should we allow religion in schools?" Joining regular hosts David Reyne and Kim Watkins, were special guests Sherene Hassan from the Islamic Council of Victoria, and Bill Firman, Principal at De La Salle Catholic College. The Atheist Foundation of Australia called upon Secular Party president John Perkins to represent them in the discussion...

On-line article.

9 April 2006

The Annual Conference of the Council of Australian Humanist societies 2006

On-line article.

14 March 2006

Why the Prime Minister is wrong about the separation of church and state in Australia

On 28 February Democrats' Senator Allison moved a motion which had as its intention a legislative change towards Australia separating church and state. The Prime Minister responded on 2 March that

"What the separation of church and state means in this country is that there is no established church .. we don't have the Anglican Church as the official state religion, that's what it means..."

On-line article. Printable version.

7 March 2006

Offensive political cartoons

A clear principle is at stake regarding the publication of the controversial cartoons. Of course one should not publish something that is deliberately inflammatory. However one should not refrain from publishing something merely because it may offend a particular religious taboo. The appropriate course, as with some TV programmes, is to issue a warning on the cover that the following content may be offensive to some readers...

Article

Prime Minister's reason for burqa being confronting is twisted

The Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has declared that he finds the full head-to-toe Islamic dress "confronting". He said that most Australians would agree with him. On this issue, the Secular Party does agree with him, but for different reasons. Mr Howard would find that the burqa confronts his Christian values. We find that our secular values are confronted...article

The Prime Minister is incorrect

when he said at his press conference 2 March: "A secular state means that there is no established church as the official head of state. It doesn't mean that we abandon our Judeo-Christian heritage or that we eliminate official reference to God"... article

21 Feb 2006

Our commissioned Newspoll shows the majority thinks there is no separation of church and state but that there should be. Additionally, the majority favours same sex relationships should be formally recognised.

Aggregated results are:

BELIEVE THERE IS OR IS NOT A LAW SEPARATING CHURCH AND STATE IN AUSTRALIA.

YES, There is a law 20%; NO, There is NOT a law 46% Don't know 34%

INTRODUCE A NEW LAW TO SEPARATE RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT IN AUSTRALIA?

Yes 45%; No 36%; Don't know 20%

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTRODUCE A NEW LAW TO FORMALLY RECOGNISE SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS IN AUSTRALIA

Yes 52% No 37% Don't know 11%

Details

The Right to Life Association misrepresents its own poll results

Click here for our observations.

Radio interview with Bill Birtles

Party President John Perkins was interviewed on radio 2SER on 3 February 2006.
Click here for a transcript of the interview.

Secular Party web site launched

This web site was launched on 27 January 2006. Welcome to a new era in Australian politics.

Join us today