This episode explores the development in New South Wales of the Faith Affairs Council and the state Labor government’s decision to block non-religious and ex-religious representation from the body. The episode features an interview with Steve Marton (2:25), who is president of Sydney Atheists. In November 2023, the state government rejected his application to become a member of the Faith Affairs Council. He applied for a position on the advisory body – which has a direct line to government ministers – in order to represent the voices of non-religious and ex-religious citizens on matters relating to religion.
This episode explores the development in New South Wales of the Faith Affairs Council and the state Labor government’s decision to block non-religious and ex-religious representation from the body. The episode features an interview with Steve Marton (2:25), who is president of Sydney Atheists. In November 2023, the state government rejected his application to become a member of the Faith Affairs Council. He applied for a position on the advisory body – which has a direct line to government ministers – in order to represent the voices of non-religious and ex-religious citizens on matters relating to religion.
Before the state election last year, the Rationalist Society of Australia (RSA) warned the then Minns opposition that the party’s proposal to establish a Faith Affairs Council would privilege the voices of religious clerics even further in policy making and marginalise the voices of non-religious citizens. Read more here.
In May 2023, multicultural minister Steve Kamper told the RSA that the proposed Faith Affairs Council would have “a diversity of viewpoints” represented. Read more here.
In September 2023, atheist leader Steve Marton nominated himself for a position on the Faith Affairs Council. Read more here.
In early November, a government official informed Mr Marton that the government had rejected his nomination. Read more here.
In December, Mr Marton, speaking on radio, warned that the religious leaders elected to the body hold views at odds with the wider community and most religious people. Read more here.
The podcast is hosted by Si Gladman, the Campaigns & Communications Coordinator for the Rationalist Society of Australia. To support the work of the Rationalist Society of Australia, become a member or make a donation on our website.
The theme music of The Secular Agenda podcast is called 'Curiosity', and it's by Shimmer.