Hansard debates

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (09:48): The Liberals and Nationals support continuing the tradition of reading the Lord’s Prayer in Parliament. We believe that this tradition holds a special place in our democracy, reflecting the Judaeo–Christian heritage and commitment to individual rights. It is these individual rights that underpin our state and have enabled it to become home to one of the most multicultural societies in the world. We also believe that reading the Lord’s Prayer is consistent with Victoria’s diverse community, recognising the roots of our Westminster system and acknowledging its history. Continuing it demonstrates that we live in a tolerant society where our history is acknowledged.

As a practising Catholic myself, I recognise that the Lord’s Prayer in the Parliament is not a Catholic one, but I still recognise and partake in it. I do not oppose people that boycott the Lord’s Prayer, but it shows the intolerance of those who do boycott it that they would seek to force others to partake in some sort of secular replacement. Labor are the first to preach tolerance, but also the first to show how intolerant they really are. Any attempt to secularise the prayer will be fiercely opposed by the opposition. Leaders in multicultural communities and multifaith communities that I have spoken to, especially in the seat of Greenvale, where 80 per cent of people profess a faith, know that we should continue with the Lord’s Prayer and would oppose any attempt to secularise the prayer.