‘Personal decision’: Unusual detail in Anthony Albanese’s swearing-in sparks debate

Anthony Albanese has sparked debate after taking a secular affirmation rather than swearing on the Bible when he was sworn in for his second term as prime minister earlier this week.

During the official swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Tuesday, Mr Albanese stood in front of the Governor-General Sam Mostyn to make his oath.

However, many noticed he did not swear on the Bible, which is considered the traditional method in Australia, and instead opted to perform a secular affirmation despite his Catholic faith.

Mr Albanese has often spoken publicly about his Catholic upbringing saying it “is part of who I am”, and it became a feature of the election campaign when Pope Francis died.

He also regularly attends mass and has spoken of how his devout mother Maryanne instilled three great faiths in him: “the Labor Party, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Catholic Church”.

He attended Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral School, saying his upbringing helped inspire the principles of compassion and kindness in, especially towards those who are vulnerable.

However, speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald’s Inside Politics podcast, Mr Albanese said it was important for him to “separate church and state” during his swearing-in in an effort to unite the country.

“I’ve always chosen to do an affirmation because I think that, as the Australian prime minister, I represent people of every faith and no faith,” he said of his decision.

“That’s a personal decision.”

This is not Mr Albanese’s first secular swearing-in ceremony. He also choose to forgo the Bible when being sworn in as prime minister in 2022.

However, the move sparked controversy online, with some arguing he was stepping away from his faith after leaning on it heavily during the election campaign.

“Now legally it makes no difference, but politically and culturally there are questions being asked, particularly since Anthony Albanese made a pretty big deal of his Catholic faith prior to the election,” Sky News host James Macpherson said.

“And particularly how proud his mother would be that he would be the first Australian prime minister to attend the inauguration of a pope.”

However, others praised the decision and argued a “secular country is what we should be aiming for”.

“(The) government represents the people,” a person wrote, with another labelling Mr Albanese as a “man of integrity”.