Redraft census form, urges lobby group

A Christian lobby group wants the 2016 census form redrafted so the option of choosing "no religion" is listed below actual religions.

The spokeswoman for FamilyVoice Australia, Ros Phillips, said the wording should stay as it was for the 2011 census, which listed "no religion" below the various religions.

Ms Phillips said the large number of submissions calling for the Bureau of Statistics to list "no religion" first suggests an organised campaign by the Rationalist Society, which has long campaigned for the change.

The society apparently wants to achieve an advantage through the donkey vote, she said.

But this does not make sense because, as in any multiple choice question, the option "none of the above" is always at the bottom.

Ms Phillips said it matters as the result is used to inform funding for chaplains who provide vital spiritual support in schools and the defence force.