Good Lord, where did Labor go?

One such inspiration was Keir Hardie, a founder of the British Labour Party. Hardie was a lay preacher and an advocate for women's suffrage and self-rule in India. He was quoted as saying, "The inspiration which has carried me on… has been derived more from the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth than from all other sources combined."

Keir Hardie was friends with our own Labor PM Andrew Fisher, who was in office intermittently between 1908 and 1915, and who was also a committed Christian.

In fact, no fewer than halfof the Prime Ministers provided to Australia by the ALP have been committed, churchgoing Christians.

Besides Andrew Fisher, these include James Scullin (1929-1932), Joseph Lyons (1932-1939), Frank Forde (1945), Ben Chifley (1945-1949) and Kevin Rudd (2007-2010, 2013). Many othershad a Christian upbringing that influenced their time in parliament.

Put simply, Labor doesn't need to be the party of sectarian secularists. This was not the case in the past, nor is it necessary today. Indeed, it was once known as the party of hard-working Catholics whose faith shaped the Labor emphasis on equality and social welfare.

It's impossible to relive the past, but a better future can be forged. Australia is best served by two major parties whose 'inclusion' doesn't feel like exclusion for a vast swathe of voters.

With a left-faction opposition leader now in Anthony Albanese, that might be a challenge, but it's far from impossible. And it's in Labor's best interests.

God-fearing Australians shouldn't have to choose between the God they believe in and the party they vote for.

Labor, the faithful haven't left you. You've lurched too far left and you've left them.

Please come back soon.