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The Green Party of Australia, following what legislators in the U.S. and Canada had initiated the past years, are again pushing for an end to recitation of prayers in the federal parliament. The Greens specifically point to the Lord's Prayer.

Also known as Our Father, the Lord's Prayer was taught by Jesus Christ himself to his followers in the Gospel books of evangelists Matthew and Luke of the Christian Bible. It is a prayer often recited by members of Christian denominations and is also a popular choice as opening prayer in various gatherings, ranging from political to religious.

In pushing for the removal of that prayer - which Christian groups say has all the elements of a perfect conversation with God because it has adoration, contrition, thanksgiving and supplication - acting Greens leader Richard Di Natale insisted that prayers of any kind have no place in Australia's national legislative body.

He said that reciting the prayer each parliamentary day underscores there is no separation between the church and the state. Mr Di Natale added the prayer is out of fashion and not a reflection of Australian society which is multi-faith.

Australia's Parliament had been reciting the Lord's Prayer since June 1901, led by the Speaker.

The Greens senator sought to replace it with a secular opening statement.

He stressed, quoted by AAP, "What we need to do is ensure the tradition of separation of church and state is reinforced ... We are here to represent everybody - we are here to represent people of all faiths, people who don't have a strong religious faith."

Mr Di Natale also said, "We are a pluralist, multicultural society and the Australian parliament should reflect that."

However, Liberal MP Andrew Nikolic objected to the Greens senator's proposal, pointing out that the Lord's Prayer is a vital part of the Australian federal parliament and said in all other state and territory legislative bodies, save for the Australian Capital Territory.

He retorted, "What is wrong with this reminder that Australia is a country with a rich Christian heritage? ... Senator Di Natale does not have to recite it, indeed he doesn't even have to be in the Senate when it is said."

Australia is 61 per cent Christian, according to the 2011 Census. The Lord's Prayer has also been recorded by various artists, including this version by blind Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

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