Truth in political advertising; religious charities go unseen, unregulated; Hitch's best on religion

Published: Tue, 10/17/23

RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Rationale, the magazine of the Rationalist Society of Australia

Good morning ,

The RSA has had Truth in Political Advertising as one of our campaigns for over a year now - see here. The Teals were elected on a platform that included climate change action, gender equity, and integrity in politics (including an independent corruption commission and truth in political advertising). As usual, the entrenched 'majors' (Coalition and Labor) resist anything that might expose the inner workings of their bids for power.

Should we push for a law to regulate truth in political advertising? Or will the "FREEDOM!!" movement kill it (funded by Clive)?

To me, "FREEDOM!!" is not an Australian value, it's an American import. An Australian value is "FAIRNESS" and we should fight for it.

Lead stories

Could truth in political advertising laws have saved the Voice debate from lies?

South Australia has had a law regulating truth in political advertising for 40 years. There are fines for misleading political advertising, and electoral results can be invalidated by a court of disputed returns. The Teals continue to try to bring a bill in but Labor keeps saying, "Not now". Famous last words.

Broome Catholic bishop subject of Vatican investigation still in control of charities

And he allegedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars grooming potential victims ... "The accounts [of Kimberley Native Mission Fund] do not mention being audited and have no explanation for the shrinking assets. The expenses are mostly listed as “other” or administration, with a fraction for unnamed charitable works or donations .. There is no record of it online apart from its registration as a charity. Its governing document is from 1960, in the time of the stolen generations, and is a proposal for a fund to give money to “native missions”."

Christopher Hitchens' Sharpest Arguments Against Religion

His best arguments against the 'truth' of religions...

Other stories of interest

Turning back the clock on the evolution of animals - Rationale Magazine

Poland election: Tusk's opposition alliance secures majority

A new progressive coalition means a shift from Poland's hardlilne nationalist past.

Argentina election: front runner vows to slash science funding

Economist and tantric sex coach Javier Milei is a libertarian who wants to privatize government research, close the environment and health ministries and abolish the current public-health and education systems to help tame the country’s financial crisis.

Got a comment on any of these stories?

Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au