Faith, a driving force in public duties

...or so went the title to my letter which was published, with some editing, in The Courier-Mail on Melbourne Cup Day (1 November 2005):

The kind of statements that Fair Pay Commission head Ian Harper is
making obviously alarms the secular media (Editorial, Oct 31). It is not used to Christianity taking a front row seat in day-to-day Australian political life, apart from the token Lord's Prayer to open Parliament.

Journalists like the rest of us, need to get with the times. Our Head of State is not only the Queen of Australia but also the head of the Church of England, a cementing of the Church / State relationship that happened half a millenia ago. Where is the problem with Harper "coming out" about his faith? Surely this reflects the wonderful diversity within Australian society. And if he wants to pray to one god, several or none at all, why isn't that diversity celebrated? Why the attempt to seal off his private life from his public duties? Surely one informs the other.

It is not for nothing that Australians call those holding public office to higher personal standards than the general community. Surely as one of the few bastions of freedom and openess remaining in our society, The Courier-Mail should be supporting public's has right to know what informs the decisions made by those who influence their lives?

What is needed is more of the kind of interviews done in the ABC's Compass program "What Our Leaders Believe" - an open and honest investigation of the internal driving forces of many of our nations leaders.