#aussie atheists

Phillip Blair, an American anti-abortion preacher from Torch of Christ Ministries, boarded a packed Sydney train at Martin Place and began lecturing passengers about sin, Jesus and unborn children.

Commuters, led by Malcolm Frawley (known as Book Man), repeatedly told him to shut up, calling his forced sermon selfish and unwanted in the confined space. The train erupted in cheers as passengers rejected the preaching.

Why does Census religion data matter?

In the years leading up to the 2026 Census, religious organisations pressured the ABS and the Albanese government not to change the religion question because they benefit from inaccurate results. The biased wording of the question leads many to answer based on their upbringing or lapsed beliefs rather than their current status.

The Census is run every five years to provide the Australian community with data that is accurate and current. But the religion question fails this test. Governments at all levels, public institutions and others use census data to form policies and make decisions about the use of public funding and the representation of community voices. Achieving more accurate data on religion will deliver greater fairness for all Australians.

Background of the 2026 Census religion question

Census religion data accuracy

The current #Census data does not accurately reflect our country’s #religious views.