Random Aussie fact

I keep this book: "Everything You Didn't Need to Know About Australia", by Adam Ward, next to my computer. WHen I need a break at work, I'll pick it up and read a random fact.


Today's fact:
The Witches of Oz

According to 2001 census figures, witchcraft is the fastest-growing religion in Australia. There were fewer than 2,000 witches in Oz in 1996, but five years later the figure was almost 9,000. The fact that several states in Australia decriminalized witchcraft around this time may explain this increased statistic: Queensland, for example, won a bid in Parliament to repeal the offences of witchcraft, sorcery and fortune telling from the Criminal Code. There was also a significant rise in the number of pagans (from around 5,000 to 10,000). Interestingly, there was also a strong rise in religions deemed to be 'inadequately described'. This category included several people who described themselves as Jedi.