Laïcité - the separation of state and church

Martin Place, looking across Pitt Street

Australia is an irreligious nation. According to the 2011 Census, 64% of the people call themselves Christian (Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, and Uniting Church 5.7%), 6% of the population is affiliated with non-Christian religions (Buddhism 2.1%, Islam 1.7%, and Hinduism 0.7%), and 30% of the population is non-religious. However much Australians talk about being religious, they do not walk the walk: a 2008 global Gallup poll, found nearly 70% of Australians stated religion as having no importance. According to a 2009 Nielsen survey, 84% of respondents agreed that religion and politics should be separate. Section 116 of the Constitution of Australia precludes the Commonwealth of Australia from making laws for establishing any religion, imposing any religious observance, or prohibiting the free exercise of any religion. Australia is a secular state. The French term Laïcité, pronounced " laisity", is the absence of religious involvement in government affairs, as well as the absence of government involvement in religious affairs. It is the principle of the separation of church and state, although in France it also means the equal treatment of all religions.