In the national parliaments of both Australia and New Zealand, it is customary to begin parliamentary sessions with a Christian prayer. Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (referred to below) is Australia's equivalent of Washington, D.C.
"Adopting Canberra's government statement to replace the prayer at the start of Parliament sittings may keep Christian and secular people happy, Green MP Keith Locke says.
Mr Locke said the statement retained the option to pray but allowed non-believers and adherents of different faiths the option of reflection.
Today Prime Minister Helen Clark distanced herself and the Labour Party from an initiative to review the use of the Christian prayer that starts each sitting.
Last month Speaker Margaret Wilson wrote to MPs asking if they thought the prayer should be scrapped or altered -- perhaps removing the reference to Jesus Christ.
Mr Locke said the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) parliament changed its prayer to a statement in 1995. "In the Australia Capital Territory they have a little statement at the beginning of each session; 'members, at the beginning of this sitting of the assembly I would ask members to stand in silence and prayer or reflect on our responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territories'."
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The Greenies are represented in Parliament in both Australia and New Zealand and are far to the Left of any other party. The above brainstorm was rejected by both major New Zealand parties.
