The impact of religion on the 2025 election. Sacrilege laws. What exactly are religious attitudes to usury?

It’s a crime many thought was a relic of decades past. But South Australian police have charged a man … with sacrilege.

In an election campaign dominated by cost-of-living pressures, energy supplies, and an assertive China, is there any room for religion as a political issue?

Paying extra on a loan is also known as usury. It’s an ancient concept with Biblical roots.

GUESTS:

Professor JOSHUA ROOSE of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation.

Dr RENAE BARKER is a senior lecturer specialising in law and religion at the University of Western Australia.

PETER KURTI of the Centre for Independent Studies. His paper, co-authored with Ian Harper is Interest, Usury and the Common Good.