SYDNEY (AFP) — The use of the Lord's Prayer in Australia's parliament came under question Sunday, after the speaker of the house called for debate on whether to continue the century-old tradition.
Harry Jenkins has called for debate on whether the Christian prayer, which has been recited at the start of each parliamentary sitting since federation in 1901, should be reworded or replaced.
"One of the most controversial aspects of the parliamentary day I found from practically day two is the prayer," Jenkins, speaker of the House of Representatives, told The Sunday Telegraph.
"On the one end of the spectrum is why have a prayer? The other end of the spectrum is where we have discussions about the words of the prayer. For people outside the parliament there are a lot of things they wish to discuss."
Jenkins' comments came after a new independent member of parliament, Rob Oakeshott, said he was disappointed that an acknowledgement of indigenous people was not made at the start of each session.
"I ask you to revisit this question of daily acknowledgement within this chamber for traditional owners, a simple symbolic but respectful act which will assist in building a better Australia," he said in his maiden speech.
Jenkins said an indigenous recognition would be in line with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's historic apology to Aboriginal Australians in January for injustices suffered during 220 years of white settlement.
But Immigration Minister Chris Evans said traditional land owners were already mentioned at the opening of parliament each year and other formal Parliament House functions.
"We had this debate in the Senate a few years ago when there was talk about having a moment's reflection rather than the Lord's Prayer but the strong view among Senators was that the Lord's Prayer ought to remain -- I wouldn't expect any change," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Australia, a former colony of Great Britain, marks Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter with public holidays.
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