E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.1 page 9 policy that led to the settlement of large European Catholic communities, whereas, at the beginning, immigration to Australia was European, of course, but mainly Anglo-Saxon and mostly Anglican. 29. In addition to the two main Anglican and Catholic religious groups, there are minority Christian communities such as the Uniting Church, the Presbyterian Churches, the Baptist Church, the Churches of Christ, the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Lutheran Church, the Orthodox Church, the Pentecostals, the Salvation Army and other Christian denominations. 30. Non-Christian religious minorities have also gained in importance in Australia because of the official immigration and cultural cohabitation policy of the 1960s and 1970s that put an end to the “white Australia policy” and led to the introduction of new religions. The Muslim religion is the first Australian minority religion (0.9 per cent of the population); its real growth dates back about 20 years, with the arrival of Lebanese and Turkish immigrants, followed by immigrants from the Arab world, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Albania, the former Yugoslavia, Greece, South Africa, etc. 31. Buddhism is the second Australian minority religion (0.8 per cent of the population) and has been mainly since the 1980s as a result of the arrival of Asian immigrants, especially from Viet Nam, Cambodia and China, and of the current growth of Buddhism throughout the world. 32. Judaism, which has been present since the country was colonized, is the third Australian religious minority (0.4 per cent of the population). The Hindu religion is the fourth religious minority; it has also grown as a result of the arrival of Asian immigrants. 33. Aboriginals are not identified in the table of religions in Australia. Part of this population may, of course, be included in the Christian religion. However, the Aboriginals also have their own beliefs, which are manifested by their sacred ties to the Earth and which have to be taken into account as part of Australia's religious diversity. 34. Another factor that has to be taken into account is the absence of belief. During censuses, 12.9 per cent of the population described itself as non-believers. This phenomenon relates primarily to the majority Christian religions and is apparently larger in size than the censuses show. The majority of citizens do not practise their religion, but, the main factor that has contributed to the increase is indifference as religious feeling becomes less strong. B. Situation of religious minorities 35. During his talks, the Special Rapporteur collected a great deal of information on the Muslim and Jewish minorities, which are analysed separately. He decided to combine the analysis of the Buddhist and Hindu minorities because the information he received on them tallied and was similar. Separate consideration is also given to the situation of small communities such as the Church of Scientology and The Family.