2006

THE McCOSKER ORATION

National Museum of Australia

Monday 16 October 2006

John Warhurst
Professor of Political Science, Australian National University 

On Monday 16th of October, Professor John Warhurst, Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University (pictured left), presented the McCosker Oration at the Catholic Social Services Australia Annual Awards ceremony held at the National Museum in Canberra.

In his opening Professor Warhurst said it was two social revolutions since the 1960s and 1970s which provided the long-term context for his oration titled Catholic Voices in Australian Politics. The first being the economic revolution in ideas and practices discussed by Professor Robert Manne, in the introduction to his book "The Howard Years"; and the second revolution, not being the other one identified by Manne, (the dismantling of the White Australia policy and changing attitudes towards race and ethnicity), but another of Prof Warhurst's own choice - the revolution brought about by the changing place of Catholics in Australian politics.

Professor Warhurst then spoke of the Church as a Voice of Opposition; the Church as a Partnership with Government; the merge of economic and religious revolutions; and the desirable though difficult to achieve goal for the Church in politics to speak with one voice.

Professor Warhurst's presentation was received with enthusiastic applause from all present.  A full copy of the speech is available here.