Blasphemy is still a crime in Victoria – and it shouldn’t be.

Queensland has abolished it. Western Australia has abolished it. New Zealand and Canada have abolished it. Even the United Kingdom, from where we inherited the offence in the first place, has abolished it.

The recent religious freedom review, chaired by Philip Ruddock, recommend that we abolish it. The United Nations recommend that we abolish it.

Andres Serrano in front of his controversial work, Piss Christ, that was considered by some to be blasphemous. Credit:Sebastian Costanzo

The bill I will table in Parliament on Wednesday will now abolish it in the state of Victoria. Finally.