Faith in Politics
Series
Where
When
Tuesday, 29 Oct 2013, 06:15pm - 07:15pm
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
Featuring
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 Fisc... Read more
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, a Wheeler Centre podcast about Australians’ lives in the fog of ... Read more
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 ... Read more
