Media Releases
Welcome to the Humanist Society of Victoria Press Room. The Society is an integral part of the community, providing an ethical secular alternative to religious observance. It is also actively engaged in the political process in promoting reason and compassion in formulating public policy and practice. In this section, you can find the Society’s latest media releases and an archive of our previous releases on many social, ethical and political campaigns.
To find out more or to arrange an interview, contact the Society’s Secretary, Stephen Stuart, at secretary@vichumanist.org.au
#DontDivideUs campaign launched against Religious Discrimination Bill
27 Feb 2020 – Humanists Victoria has teamed up with other Free thought groups to create the #dontdivideus campaign to raise awareness and stop the Religious Discrimination Bill. Read Full Media Release …
The same-sex marriage national vote
16 Nov 2017 – The Humanist Society of Victoria (HSV) is delighted with the outcome of the same-sex marriage postal vote and congratulates those who worked so hard to bring about this well-considered response from the Australian people. Read Full Media Release …
Australian Humanist of the Year 2017
2 Mar 2017 – Dr Rodney Syme has been recognised as Australian Humanist of the Year for 2017 by the Council of Australian Humanist Societies. Read Full Media Release …
Australia’s first Humanist university chaplain
9 Feb 2017 – Geoff Ballard is a member of the ACT Humanist Society and began working as a volunteer chaplain at both the ANU and the University of Canberra in 2016. Read Full Media Release …
Is it OK to lie sometimes?
30 Sep 2015 – The Humanist Society of Victoria (HSV) launches the report of a trial in which trained volunteers facilitated ethical discussions with grade 5/6 children in Victorian state primary schools. Read Full Media Release …
Free speech: balancing human rights and responsibilities
12 May 2014 – The Humanist Society of Victoria honours and upholds the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read Full Media Release …
Humanists oppose the ‘Move On’ Bill
18 Mar 2014 – Humanists oppose the Summary Offences and Sentencing Amendment Bill 2013 passed by the Victorian Parliament. Read Full Media Release …
Global survey of freedom of thought
10 Dec 2013 – The Freedom of Thought Report 2013 launching today examines every country in the world for legal discrimination and human rights violations which specifically affect atheists, humanists and the non-religious. Read Full Media Release …
Reforming religious education in State primary schools
7 Nov 2012 – On Sunday 4th November 2012, a public forum convened in Melbourne to examine religious education in State primary schools. Read Full Media Release …
Test case of religious discrimination in State schools
9 Mar 2012 – Today concluded the seven-day hearing in which parents took the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), claiming religious discrimination against their children. Read Full Media Release …
Religious discrimination in State primary schools
27 Mar 2011 – The Humanist Society of Victoria collected many complaints from the public about the way religious instruction (RI) is being conducted and has prepared a formal complaint on behalf of the aggrieved parents to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Read Full Media Release …
Humanists support refugees and asylum seekers
17 Jun 2010 – Victorian Humanists call upon the Australian Parliament to adopt more enlightened, humanitarian and compassionate standards of care for refugees and asylum seekers. Read Full Media Release …
