The Micah Challenge coalition in Australia has welcomed the government’s continued commitment to overseas development in the 2009-10 aid budget announced on 13 May, but says that there is a long way to go in securing justice for the poor.

The Australian Human Rights Commission is encouraging submissions to a consultation about the current state of freedom of religion and belief in the country. The deadline for receiving them is 31 January 2009.

Roman Catholic social justice advocates have joined in widespread criticism of new laws restricting protests during World Youth Day in Sydney this month, which Pope Benedict XVI will attend in his first visit to Australia.

After decades of debate and argument, the Anglican Church in Australia now have one female bishop, and they will get a second within 10 days of the first woman's consecration.