Faith in Politics

Series

Where

When

Tuesday, 29 Oct 2013, 06:15pm - 07:15pm

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

Sally Warhaft

Tim Costello

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 Fisc... Read more

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, a Wheeler Centre podcast about Australians’ lives in the fog of ... Read more

@SallyWarhaft

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 ... Read more