Australia has been through a great deal. We've seen
how Australians unhesitatingly turned to government
embraced expertise and willingly abided by the
society-wide deprivations in the interests of their
communities. Reluctantly at first people fell into
line. Even those who had built their careers on the
virtues of small government and fiscal disciplines
flipped to become big spenders.

Political combat took a back seat to problem-solving.
Voters backed incumbent governments marking them
favourably for doing their jobs. We've seen returned the
incumbents in the Northern Territory, ACT, Queensland,
and WA.

In WA Mark McGowan was strongly endorsed.

While our closest allies - the US and UK descended into
division (and death) Australia closed its borders early.

Of course there were mistakes. We do have business and
Coalition hardliners being outspoken against State border
closures, lockdowns and other restrictions on economic
grounds. However, while we still have the given
uncertainties - high public trust is important and we
need to remember that Scott Morrison's National Cabinet
has served the country well.

The only way democracy can be maintained is with a good opposition. Australia does not have such a thing, federally, in WA, in Victoria, in NSW, Tasmania and the NT. The SA opposition is starting to shape up pretty well against the gormless Steve Marshmallow.

My guess is that voters worry more about a government's
policies than a PM's religion. Also lets not forget
that for all those who are put off by a PM's religion
there may be an equal number who are attracted by it.
Lets not forget that western Sydney apparently disconnected
from Labor at the last election and supported the Coalition.
The feeling was that this was due to western Sydney being
strongly religious and Scott Morrison appealed greatly.

However the current Opposition will need to come up with
strong policies because in the end it is
policies that matter and that's how the electorate
will judge who to vote for. At
present Labor is not looking good.

Dear Foxy,

In my opinion the question really should read "Should politics get involved in religion?"

My answer would be no unless that faith is taking money from the government to provide services then most definitely yes.

About a third of the schools in this nation are now private with the vast majority of them being religious in nature. The schisms this is starting to inflict on our society are pretty clear cut.

We have about 50% of our hospitals are now private, again with a large percentage having religious ties.

When religious bodies have a large say over the distribution of public monies the chances of them favouring some groups over others is very real. This is where I want strong government oversight. Who wouldn't.

Dear mhaze,

You write:

"Get back to me when you find evidence of Morrison or any other member of any Australian government interfering with the free exercise of anyone's religion."

That really is an inane narrowing of the issue. I can do the same. Why of earth are we spending from memory $700 million a year to place chaplains in each of our schools including public ones especially given the findings of institutional child sexual abuse from that very cohort?

Dear Steele,

Religion does play a role in politics in this country.
Politicians have always picked and chosen values for their
own political ends. The use of the conscience vote
demonstrates the high place given to religious
convictions and sensibilities.

Did yoiu know that when federal parliament is in
session the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship meets
fortnightly with about 60 members from all sides of
politics in attendance. This is more than a quarter
of total parliamentary members.

The government has outsourced approximately two
thirds of community services to faith-based agencies
at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.

These services focus on youth, aged care, family
support, homeless programs, and mental health.

I could be wrong but I think that chaplains in
public schools - are on a voluntary basis. They are
not mandatory.

There have always been and probably will continue to
be politicians who will influence the nation in
interesting ways. And religion does seem to be
flourishing in both the Coalition and Labor parties.

hi foxy lady, ive been off this site for a couple of years. at nan and pops for dinner 2nite using nans lap top, cool i could log in again. just wanted to ask you a question since your comments are good reading i picked this thread of yours to ask a question.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?

i shocked nan last week told them i dont believe in god, pop was cool with that said its a matter of faith, nan said you a cathlic girl in year 10 at catholic girls school and you say you dont believe in god what are they teaching you. nan is hockey pokey sometimes. pops cool with a lot of my ideas so i talk with him a lot, nans good to but is set in her ways love them both. i did get an A for religion last term.