Israel Folau has lost his job (or come very close to it) for quoting Scripture on social media. That statement should make us think long and hard about the state of religious freedom in Australia. The football star has exposed a huge divide that exists among the Australian public by preaching basic Christian doctrine, but his comments are a challenge to all of us to defend the Truth, no matter what the cost.

In an important decision on free speech issues, the High Court of Australia, in its decision in Clubb v Edwards; Preston v Avery [2019] HCA 11 (10 April 2019), has upheld the validity of laws in Victoria and Tasmania prohibiting communication about abortion within 150m of an abortion clinic. The decision may have serious implications for free speech about other issues on which religious believers have deep-seated convictions contrary to the general orthodoxy of modern Australian society.

There is never a dull moment when you wake up each day and check out the morning news. When I looked at my news feed this morning it was filled with story after story about radical vegans causing mischief and mayhem all over Australia.

Australians will be going to the polls in May, with only two possible outcomes: a Liberal government, headed by Scott Morrison, which will be ostensibly 'conservative' or 'right-wing', or a Labor government, a 'progressive' or 'left-wing' one, led by Bill Shorten. As with last year's Viktorian state election, the watchword among Christians, especially pro-lifer Christians, is "keep Labor out." However, in that election, despite intese lobbying, Labor stayed in power and significantly, enjoyed a swing in its favour across most of the state.

The Australian Labor Party today announced a new campaign policy: their intention to make abortion on demand legal & free across Australia. With this single policy they have made it impossible for any authentic Christian to vote for them, much less stay silent on the sidelines of this impending federal election.

‘Safe, legal and rare’ is out the window – now it’s free abortions for everyone. Labor’s Deputy Leader, Tanya Plibersek, has given details of a $9 million National Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy, aimed at increasing abortion services throughout Australia, should her party be elected this year.

The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has now (Feb 14, 2019) tabled its Report on the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Removing Discrimination Against Students) Bill 2018, a Private Senator’s Bill introduced last year by Senator Wong with the support of the ALP.

It's evident that among those who identify as 'pro-life' there exists a great variety of positions. At one end of the spectrum are those who defend life from the moment of conception, while also condemning contraception, and at the other end, there are those who agree with abortion in certain circumstances such as rape or severe foetal abnormality.