Western Australia Parliament debates removal of Lord’s Prayer

The Western Australia Parliament is currently considering a proposal to remove the Lord’s Prayer from the start of each Legislative Assembly sitting day. The proposal was submitted by Member of Parliament Dave Kelly, who suggested replacing the prayer with a moment of silent reflection to better reflect the state's religious diversity and to avoid the appearance of siding with institutions responsible for historical child sexual abuse.

In response, Catholic communities in Perth have organized petitions to preserve the practice. Supporters argue the prayer fosters humility and a commitment to the common good, noting that members are not required to participate and may remain silent. One proposed compromise involves retaining the prayer followed by a period of silence to accommodate members of all faiths or none.

Debate surrounding the issue highlights a tension between modernizing parliamentary standing orders and maintaining Westminster traditions. Proponents of the prayer argue it connects the current legislature to centuries of democratic history and serves as a symbolic reminder of accountability in governance.