Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that saying prayers at the start of each sitting day of the Legislative Assembly is written in Sessional Orders, adopted each session. 

Section 116 of the Constitution of Australia precludes the Commonwealth of Australia from making laws for establishing any religion, imposing any religious observance, or prohibiting the free exercise of any religion. Section 116 also provides that no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth. Prayers at the commencement of each sitting day are contrary to the spirit embodied in s116.

Petition 3442-20 which requested the House to order the cessation of religious observances in parliament and city and regional council meetings was given to the Premier to answer and the Premier replied that the matter is up to the Speaker of the House, but Hon Pitt is not obliged to answer petitions because he is not a Minister.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to amend sessional orders to remove prayers and have the parliament comply with the separation of Church and State and the spirit of s116 of the Commonwealth Constitution.