The Federal Convention of Australia and Religious Liberty
From the Bible Echo, of Melbourne, of March 14, we learn that on Wednesday, March 2, the Federal Convention, by a majority of nine votes, passed the following clause, introduced by Mr. H. B. Higgins:— “The commonwealth shall not make any law prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, or for the establishment of any religion, or imposing any religious observance, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office of public trust under the commonwealth.” The Echo remarks: “This is straight so far as the commonwealth is concerned. It sets forth the correct principle upon which civil government should stand respecting the matter of religion. It has but one defect, one weak point. Like the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States, it leaves the States free to make religious laws and enforce religious observances.” It gives a slight basis for this in the recognition of God in the preamble of its constitution.