Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Tuesday 29 October
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd are two of the most overtly devout leaders in recent political history. Julia Gillard is firmly atheist. So how do the religious beliefs of our leaders influence their work? Is it possible to separate faith and politics? And does it matter?
Australia is a secular democracy, but the beliefs of our politicians sometimes conflict with party policies. Tony Abbott has said he has never made a political decision based on religious grounds, but his Catholicism informs much of his thinking. How do politicians resolve these tensions? And how have our political, social and religious institutions evolved over time?
Fifth Estate host Sally Warhaft is joined by World Vision CEO and former Baptist minister Tim Costello, and former deputy prime minister and Australia’s first Rome-based Ambassador to the Holy See Tim Fischer, to discuss Christianity and religion in modern Australia, and to ask just how closely religion and politics are intertwined.
Featuring
Tim Fischer
Tim Fischer is a former NSW and Federal politician who, since retiring from politics, has served as Chair Tourism Australia and Australian Ambassador to the Holy See. He is the author of several books.
In 1971, Tim was first elected to the NSW Parliament. During his time in State Parliament, Mr Fischer became National Party Whip and served on a number of Parliamentary Committees, including the State ‘Staysafe’ Committee. He resigned from State Politics in 1984 to seek pre-selection for the Federal Parliamentary seat of Farrer, at the time based on Albury, Corowa and Deniliquin, from the ACT to the SA border.
He was subsequently elected Federal Member for Farrer and served in this role from 1984 to 2001. During this time, he was Shadow Minister for Energy & Resources, Shadow Minister for Trade, Leader of the National, and later Minister for Trade and Deputy Prime Minister in the Howard Government (1996 - 1999). He led the Official delegation to observe the East Timor Referendum in 1999.
Tim is currently Chairman of FAMU Holdings, a private company, and has a range of business interests, mainly with an export orientation. His hobbies include chess and trekking in KNP and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.
He is also the author or co-author of books including Seven Days in East Timor, Outback Heroes & Communities that Count, and Transcontinental Train Odyssey: The Ghan, The Khyber, The Globe. His most recent works include Bold Bhutan Beckons (co-authored with Tshering Tashi) and Trains Unlimited in the 21st Century.
Sally Warhaft
Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer. She is the host of The Fifth Estate, the Wheeler Centre’s live series focusing on journalism, politics, media, and international relations, and The Leap Year ...
Tim Costello
Tim Costello is one of Australia’s most sought after voices on issues of social justice, leadership and ethics. Since 2004, Tim has been CEO of World Vision – Australia’s largest international development agency.
Trained in economics, law, education and theology, Tim has practised law, served as a Baptist minister, and has been active in church and community leadership, local government and national affairs.