February
NSW police chief apologises for break-up of prayer protest
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon promises the Muslim community an “active presence” during Ramadan after threat to Lakemba mosque.
January
Will restricting speech buy Australia the safety it craves?
The government’s crackdown on hate speech is being criticised from all sides as an attack on freedoms that will make the country more fragile and less safe.
PM’s chance of passing bill narrows as faith leaders unite for delay
Some of the country’s top religious leaders have called on the Albanese government to reconsider the timing of its hate speech laws.
I’m a lawyer. Religious freedom shouldn’t hinge on hate speech law
If the law passes, the freedoms of speech, conscience and religion in Australia would thereafter pivot on a novel, imprecise and arbitrary “referencing” test.
Sussan Ley walks Coalition towards opposing Labor hate laws
Both Liberal and Nationals backbench MPs are speaking out in opposition to the government’s hurried hate speech legislation.
We need a national inquiry into the root cause of hatred and division
The royal commission should not be confined to the Bondi massacre and antisemitism but should holistically examine intolerance across race, religion, and ethnicity.
December 2025
Blood may be thicker than water between Christians this Christmas
The King and the Pope meeting in Rome may it be a sign that these two great traditions will always remember their belonging together in the one body of Christ.
Frydenberg address a call to reclaim Australia’s enlightened tolerance
The former treasurer’s anger is an indictment not only of present failures, but of our neglect of the Australian formula for mastering diversity.
November 2025
Why Bible downloads are booming
YouVersion, the most popular Bible app in the world, will this month celebrate its billionth install.
October 2025
‘Historic moment’: King Charles ends 500-year rift to pray with Pope
King Charles became the first British monarch in centuries to pray with the Pope during a history-making visit to Vatican City.
Sequoia Capital COO quits as political tensions explode
The venture capital firm’s Sumaiya Balbale quit after it decided not to discipline an outspoken investor for posts about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Church of England names first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally has become the first woman to lead the Anglican church in its 1400-year history.
How the Gaza war is turning into the West’s powder keg
Even a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas may not roll back the tide of intolerance, radicalisation and imported ideologies now taking root in the West.
I grew up in Manchester’s Jewish community, now it’s marked by bloodshed
When some sections of the anti-Israel movement chant “globalise the intifada” we cannot be naive about what that means.
September 2025
Will Charlie Kirk’s death set off a religious revival?
Americans are reconsidering religion and if Charlie Kirk is remembered and emulated primarily for his faith, maybe we’ve just seen a tipping point.
How one uni is getting students to actually debate tough topics again
Instead of being interested in debate, today’s students are increasingly uncomfortable dealing with controversial topics. Now there are classes for that.
August 2025
Chalmers open to trade deal review after Mormons’ $490m spending spree
The treasurer said Australia welcomed foreign investment, but it had to be in the national interest and trade arrangements had to “keep pace”.
Churches could develop ‘tens of thousands’ of homes on their land
Land ownership figures, which likely understate the total area owned by religious groups, show plenty of room for housing.
Mormon church’s $490m spending spree exposes trade deal blind spot
Farmers fear the American church could change the face of Australian agriculture.
The chequebook of Mormon: $500m on Australian farms in six months
With its immense resources, the US-based Mormon church is buying up vast tracts of Australian farmland. Is this in our national interest?
