Australia has often been described as a secular nation, however up until quite recently it is debatable whether that has been the case. While the government has never imposed a religion and the constitution legally bars it from doing so, the Australian people themselves have often been quite devout. What distinguishes Australia historically is religious toleration and ecumenicalism. In the 19th century we did not make the Church of England legally predominant as it was then in Britain, but we did have the government funding a range of Christian denominations. As Australia does appear to be on the path of losing its faith, it is important to take a look back at the role religion has played in our story.

Robert Menzies Institute CEO Georgina Downer talks to Dr Stephen Chavura, co-author of Reason, Religion, and the Australian Polity: A Secular State?