• PM condemns 'Jesus bin Laden' artwork

Prime Minister John Howard has condemned two entries in Australia's top religious art competition because they appear to ridicule Christianity.A holographic image that combines Osama bin Laden and Jesus Christ, and a statue of the Virgin Mary wearing a Muslim burqa have both been submitted as contenders for the Blake Prize.

The artist, Priscilla Bracks, intends the piece to demonstrate the glorification that the media gives to Osama. It's not intended to comment about Jesus except His popularity.