Senator Duncan Spender of the Liberal Democrats has praised religion's contribution to Australia while calling for rigour in separating church and state.
"Happy Easter to all Australians, especially Christians commemorating the compassion and self-sacrifice of Jesus this weekend," Senator Spender proclaimed.
"I am not religious. When I was sworn into the Senate I made an affirmation on the Constitution rather than swearing on a religious text. I did not pray at the start of Senate proceedings and I believe that prayers should not be part of the routine of Parliament.
"I favour the abolition of the Commonwealth Government's school chaplain program. This program provides $62 million of taxpayer's funds each year for pastoral care services in schools, on the condition that they are provided by religious groups.
"Scripture classes in government-run schools should also be abolished, with any religious study being undertaken in the context of history rather than dogma.
"Australians should feel as much at home in government institutions, such as public schools, as religious Australians. I support the National Secular Lobby's stance that non-religious Australians should not have their taxes used to support groups they do not support.
"The welcoming of all Australians into government institutions is part of what makes Australia so great and peaceful, in contrast to so many countries where the church and state are not separated.
"Religions have made and continue to make a substantial contribution to Australian society and culture. A significant proportion of those Australians who do charitable work do so as part of a religious group. And religions provide their followers with great support, particularly in the most difficult times.
"Australians who choose to be members of a religion should be free to practice their religion in peace as they are not hurting anyone else. Governments should not interfere in the voluntary actions of the religious, just as religions should not intervene in the actions of Government, which represents all Australians," he concluded.
