Call to criminalise threats against places of worship
A senator is urging the federal government to bolster its hate crime bill and make threatening places of worship an offence following an attack on a synagogue.
religion and belief
Flowers, reflection for 10th anniversary of Lindt siege
A hostage and a rescuer of the Lindt Cafe siege have opened up about their struggles in the decade since as leaders lay flowers to mark the anniversary.
Push to strengthen hate crime laws and tackle threats
The government should make it an offence to threaten marginalised Australians and set up a national database to help combat hate crimes, a committee recommends.
PM lashes anti-Semitic attacks as evil and disgraceful
Anthony Albanese has delivered an impassioned call for Australians to unite around common values and respect after two attacks on Jewish communities.
Worshippers escape ‘devastating’ synagogue attack
A congregant says the Jewish community has been "hit in the heart" after fire gutted one of Melbourne's largest synagogues within the space of an hour.
Mix of quiet sorrow and anger over synagogue attack
A member of a Jewish community targeted in a firebomb attack says the damage to the Adass Israel Synagogue is a cause of great anguish.
Blackened shell a reminder of Holocaust devastation
Members of the Jewish community have gathered in solidarity after a synagogue was firebombed by two men who are on the run from police.
World leaders watch Notre-Dame reopen with a ‘merci’
Notre-Dame cathedral has it reopened after a devastating fire that brought the 860-year-old iconic Paris landmark close to collapse five years ago.
‘Evil’ synagogue fire declared likely terrorism
The firebombing of a synagogue was likely an 'evil' and politically motivated terror attack, authorities say, as police search for three suspects.
Anti-Semitism crackdown launched after synagogue fire
Police will gain extra powers to tackle anti-Semitism after a trio of arson attacks on Jewish targets raised fears from the community.
‘Cheap and late’: PM heckled at firebombed synagogue
An angry crowd has met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he visited a synagogue to see for himself the destruction caused by a suspected terrorist attack.
Beefed-up hate laws won’t touch religious free pass
With social cohesion under strain, one Australian state is trumpeting tougher hate laws and penalties but will keep exceptions for "genuine" religious beliefs.
‘I am proud’: state’s first Muslim MP makes history
Bisma Asif is making history as the first Muslim MP to sit in a state's parliament, 20 years after her family arrived from Pakistan.
High Court limits church liability for child abuse
The High Court has found a Catholic diocese in regional Victoria is not liable for the sexual abuse of a young boy by a priest over 50 years ago.
High Court lets Indigenous woman pursue abuse damages
The High Court has ruled an Aboriginal woman can pursue damages on some allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse while in state care in Queensland.
Harris goes to church, Trump hands out french fries
Kamala Harris has gone to church as she turned 60, while Donald Trump has tried his hand working at McDonald's as the US election draws closer.
MP breaks party ranks on transgender birth certificates
A NSW Liberal MP has broken with ranks and accused her leaders of fearmongering over laws that make it easier for transgender people modify birth certificates.
Pope Francis warns against religious extremism
On the first day of his tour of Indonesia, the pope has warned against religious extremism, saying it distorts religious beliefs through deception and violence.
‘Disillusioned’: Muslim group warning ahead of election
A grassroots political movement is aiming to swing votes away from the government at the federal election over its response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
‘Great pain’ not enough to require help for dying girl
A woman accused of killing a young girl by withholding her insulin told police she would not have called an ambulance even if the girl was writhing in pain.
Prosecution rests in church trial over child’s death
After weeks of hearings, prosecutors in the trial of 14 church group members accused of killing a girl by withholding insulin have finished presenting evidence.
Rioters convicted over ‘unacceptable’ church attack
A magistrate has condemned the actions of rioters congregating outside a church after a bishop's stabbing as three charged over the incident appeared in court.
Accused killer mum ‘praying’ when girl’s breath stopped
A manslaughter-accused mother previously jailed for failing to seek treatment for her daughter said it was a "miracle" she had survived a near-fatal coma.
‘No regrets’ over girl’s death: accused dad to police
A body-worn camera has captured an exchange between police officers and a man accused of murdering his eight-year-old daughter by withholding her medication.
Trump says Christians won’t have to vote next election
Republican nominee Donald Trump's team didn't address his comments he would have it "fixed" so that Christians wouldn't need to vote in the next election.
Harris says she is the ‘underdog’ in presidential race
Republican nominee Donald Trump's team didn't address his comments he would have it "fixed" so that Christians wouldn't need to vote in the next election.
Harris says she is the ‘underdog’, Trump goes on attack
Donald Trump has vowed to make the US the "crypto capital of the world," a far cry from his stance in 2021, when he called bitcoin a "scam."
Mum forced daughter into two marriages: court hears
A mother who forced her daughter to marry a man who would go on to kill her should be jailed to send a message to the community, a court has been told.
Murder accused to cop: girl ‘still not risen’ from dead
A religious leader on trial accused of murdering a young child of his followers told police the girl was no longer breathing despite his prayers, a judge heard.
Mother on trial for girl’s death acted on Bible ‘facts’
A woman accused of killing her daughter by withholding medication told her prior trial for near-fatal child neglect the Bible's "facts" showed God could heal.
Israeli minister’s holy site visit threatens Gaza talks
Ultranationalist Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has visited a contested Jerusalem holy site, which could disrupt talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.