Happy Easter

18th April, 2025

Today is Good Friday and personally, the significance of this day is very important and meaningful to not only me, but millions of my fellow Christians throughout the world.

This weekend though, as pointed out by my very dear friend and Shadow Attorney General and Minister for Child Protection the Hon Nick Goiran MLC, Western Australia will (as a matter of law) also observe not one, not two, but three public holidays.

Good Friday, Easter Sunday & Easter Monday are all officially recognised under our Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972.

Nick explained that while we also have eight other public holidays each year, no other long weekend has three so it’s worth pausing for a moment to ask the question, why?

As I’ve always said, on Australia Day we respect our country’s indigenous history, we celebrate our British foundations, and we embrace our migrant character.

And our British foundations also include the recognition of our fundamental freedoms, one of which is freedom of worship.

And those British foundations also include Christianity.

We also believe in freedom of conscience, freedom of faith, freedom of association & freedom of speech.

In that context, Easter will hold varying significance for different people across our diverse Western Australian community.

Easter reminds us of light overcoming darkness, of new beginnings, and of the power of grace & sacrifice. As Nick also said, as Christians his hope is that on this weekend we can pause and reflect on John 19:30, and personally, I couldnt agree more.

Nick also said that for those who have questions about faith, this weekend might be the one to read about Lee Strobel, an atheist investigative journalist who examined the historical claims of Christianity.

And for those who just want to enjoy our three public holidays, like Nick, I sincerely and personally wish you, your families, loved ones, friends and colleagues a very safe, peaceful & joyous Easter.

And finally, as West Australians, we are incredibly blessed to have a man such as Nick represent us all, in his capacity in our Parliament, so thank you my friend and I couldn’t have said what you did any better! You also know how extremely proud I am of you my friend, and may our father in heaven continue to bless and guide you.