Tradition vs. Progress: Australia's Political and Religious Identity Crisis

Australia is at a pivotal moment. The recent federal election has thrown the Liberal Party into a public identity crisis, exposing deep divisions over whether to double down on conservative values or modernise to reflect a changing nation. But this isn’t just a story about politics. The same tensions are playing out in Australia’s religious institutions, especially the church, as both spheres grapple with the challenge of holding onto tradition versus embracing inclusion and progress.

The Liberal Party’s post-election soul-searching has become a national spectacle. On one side, powerful conservatives like Gina Rinehart are calling for a Trump-style shift i.e less government, fewer regulations, and a return to what they call “common sense.” For Rinehart and her supporters, this means rejecting environmental protections, rolling back social progress, and doubling down on policies that favour big business. But there’s a growing chorus of moderates and centrists within the party warning that this approach is out of step with modern Australia. They point to the party’s lack of female and diverse representation, and its failure to connect with younger, more progressive voters. As former Liberal finance minister Simon Birmingham put it, the party’s base is “too narrow,” and its brand of conservatism “too harsh and out of touch.” The debate isn’t just about policy—it’s about identity. Is the Liberal Party willing to evolve, or will it cling to a version of Australia that no longer exists?

These same questions are echoing through Australia’s churches. For decades, many religious institutions have been slow to adapt to social change, holding tightly to doctrines and traditions that often exclude women, LGBT+ people, and other marginalised groups. The result is a growing disconnect between the church and the broader community, especially among younger Australians who see faith as incompatible with equality and inclusion. Recent years have seen some denominations take small steps toward reform, debating the role of women in leadership, or cautiously discussing LGBT+ inclusion. But for every step forward, there’s often a backlash from those who fear that change means abandoning core beliefs. The church, like the Liberal Party, faces a stark choice: modernise and remain relevant, or risk fading into irrelevance.

At the heart of both debates is a simple question: Who gets to define what it means to be Australian? Is it those who want to preserve the old ways, or those pushing for a more inclusive, diverse future? For many, these aren’t abstract questions. They’re deeply personal. The policies and doctrines debated in Parliament and the pulpit shape real lives, determining who feels welcome, who has a voice, and who gets left behind.

This struggle between tradition and change isn’t new, it’s as old as faith itself. The Bible is full of stories where people and communities are challenged to rethink what they’ve always known. One of the most striking examples comes from the New Testament, in the early Christian church. After Jesus’ resurrection, his followers faced a huge question: Should the new Christian movement remain a sect within Judaism, following all its traditional laws and customs, or open its doors to non-Jews (Gentiles) and adapt to a changing world? This debate came to a head in Acts 15, at what’s known as the Council of Jerusalem. Some early Christians insisted that Gentile converts must follow Jewish law, including circumcision. Others, like Paul and Barnabas, argued that faith in Christ was enough, and that the church needed to be more inclusive. After much discussion, the leaders decided not to impose the old laws on new believers, opening the way for Christianity to become a global faith. This moment was revolutionary. It showed that even in sacred communities, there can be room for change, inclusion, and growth without losing the heart of the message.

Similarly, Jesus himself often challenged the religious leaders of his day for clinging to tradition at the expense of compassion and justice. In Mark 7:8, he says, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” He called people to look beyond rigid rules and focus on love, mercy, and inclusion. These biblical stories remind us that questioning tradition isn’t a betrayal of faith or community, it can be an act of faithfulness. Sometimes, holding too tightly to the past can prevent us from seeing where God, or, in a secular sense, progress and justice, is leading us next.

Australia’s future, politically and spiritually, will be shaped by how we answer these questions. Will our leaders listen to the voices calling for inclusion, or will they retreat into the comfort of tradition? Can we find a way to honour the past while building a future that reflects the diversity and dynamism of modern Australia? The crossroads is here. The choice is ours.