RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Good morning ,

Yes, we've come out of a decade in the doldrums (n: "A temporary halt or slowdown of activity") - with the singular exception of the very active and aptly named Robodebt (for a really excellent insight into what went on within the public service behind the scenes, listen to the Saturday Paper's 7am podcast series) - but we used to lead the world with political innovations like secret ballots, giving women the vote, preferential voting, mobile voting booths, and Saturday voting. 

And this week we can celebrate another Australian innovation, thanks to our little mate, Lionel Murphy. Australia was the first country in the world to create the institution of civil (ie, non-religious) celebrancy, designed deliberately to match existing religious institutions. It's 50 years since the first civil marriage celebrant, Lois D'Arcy, was appointed on 19 July 1973. Now, over 80% of marriages in Australia are conducted by civil celebrants.

Lead stories

Prof. Luke Beck writes, "It is perfectly legal to spread misinformation and disinformation and tell outright lies about the proposed constitutional amendment, just as it is legal to tell lies during federal election campaigns. While Australia has laws banning businesses from engaging in deceptive and misleading advertising about their products and services, there are no equivalent federal laws that apply to politics." Whaat? Why??

The UK is catching up with more compassionate countries but hasn't got there yet. What was learned from their latest inquiry into VAD:

• VAD improves end-of-life care, including palliative care
• every jurisdiction that introduces VAD wants to keep it
• there is no evidence of coercion
• VAD brings dignity
• legalising VAD improves conversations around death

Australia will join a German-initiated climate club, as the federal government aims to seal a free trade deal with the European Union.

Other stories of interest

It's 50 years since the introduction of civil celebrancy and secular marriage in Australia

Thank you, Lionel Murphy! "The civil celebrant program is almost entirely the result of one man's vision. Murphy himself told me the story of how he was opposed by his own staff, the public service, his fellow members of parliament and officials of the Labour Party. He defied all, and, on 19 July 1973, in the dead of night, typed the first appointment himself, found the envelope and stamp, walked to a post box and posted it himself."

Long march of the Marxists | The Spectator Australia

For those who get out of their echo chambers, that arch-typical conservative, Kevin Donnelly, writes: "Remember when government schools had a picture of the Queen in the foyer outside the principal’s office, and Monday morning assembly began with raising the flag and taking the oath of allegiance: ‘I love God and my country, I will honour the flag, I will serve the Queen and cheerfully obey my parents, teachers, and the law.’ Thank God those days are over.

Measuring inequality: What is the Gini coefficient?

Everyone should know about the Gini coefficient. Look at the map! Australia comes in at 0.34, beaten by the Scandinavian countries (of course) but also by Mongolia and Kazakhstan.

Got a comment on any of these stories? 

Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au

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