<P> An example of an HREOC response to such views is the IsmaU project, which examines possible prejudice against Muslims in Australia since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US, and the Bali bombings . </P> <P> A question on religion has been asked in every census taken in Australia, with the voluntary nature of this question having been specifically stated since 1933 . In 1971, the instruction "if no religion, write none" was introduced . This saw a sevenfold increase from the previous census year in the percentage of Australians stating they had no religion . Since 1971, this percentage has progressively increased to 30.1% in 2016 . </P> <P> The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006 Census Dictionary statement on religious affiliation states the purpose for gathering such information: </P> <P> Data on religious affiliation are used for such purposes as planning educational facilities, aged persons' care and other social services provided by religion - based organisations; the location of church buildings; the assigning of chaplains to hospitals, prisons, armed services and universities; the allocation of time on public radio and other media; and sociological research . </P>

What percentage of the australian population identified as protestant in 1945