Social Policy and Ethics Andrew Singleton (Pp.205–11)

Volume 6 No 1. Winter 2010 012 | Good Policy

How religious inspiration has helped shape Australian social reform: the Student Christian NEWS Movement and the Newman Society Good Shepherd Youth & Family » continued Service has made the following policy Good NEWSLETTER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD YOUTH & FAMILYPolicy SERVICE SOCIAL POLICY RESEARCH UNIT submissions: And they embraced individual freedom and conscience, but within the community of discourse and relationships. Rowan is Federal ABN 61 354 551 576 ISSN: 1833-1130 disappointed with the new clericalism in the Catholic Church, and attacks on ‘refl exive’ theology, especially liberation theology. But » Human Rights Consultation, June 2009 he sees hope in another generation emerging, as indicated in » ‘Income Management’ legislation, January 2010 The Spirit of Generation Y by Michael Mason, Ruth Webber and » School Funding Review Terms of Reference, Social policy and ethics Andrew Singleton (pp.205–11). May 2010 Rosemary Crowley provides a fi tting comment on which to » National Consumer Credit Reform, August 2010 This edition of Good Policy explores the Review of Life and Action both personal and summarise this collection. She writes that people are hungering for relationship between ethics and social policy, collective, based on the gospel message, was a IN THIS ISSUE values, but “it is more likely to be brought into the public domain State in particular the signifi cant contribution that methodology that assisted many activists to put through the words and issues raised by men and women of Christian intellectuals have played in this debate into practice their religious beliefs. A key principle » Homelessness 2020 Strategy, December 2009 Social policy and ethics 1 commitment to equity and social justice.” (p.229). Quite so. commencing with the Christian Realism of North in this activism is that the poor and those who are » Inquiry into the Adequacy and Future Directions American theologian Reinhold Niebhur (1892 – disadvantaged have a voice. They are the ones to The Global Financial Each generation must wrestle with how to bring its best values of Public Housing, January 2010 1971). Brian Howe explores the infl uence and speak about their own reality. Crisis: a question and beliefs into efforts to improve and expand social wellbeing. meaning of Christian Realism in the Australian of money or ethics Christian social formation has a long and The context today is much more international, and presents » Improving Public Housing Responses Segmented Government of the 1990s. Bruce Duncan reviews – David Hayward 2 signifi cant tradition in Australia. The Student very serious challenges. Readers of these books by Howe and Waiting List, January 2010 two books, which detail the ethical formation Christian Movement and the Newman Society Noone can take some comfort from the fact that Australia has » Flexible Learning Options, May 2010 and activism of university students who were National energy are the most recent examples of a spirituality laws may leave a long tradition of social reform efforts inspired by the Gospel. members of the Student Christian Movement and » Skills for Victoria Implementation, May 2010 that addressed the social reality that we live in. Victoria cold the Newman Society (at Melbourne University). And examples from the past can help inform renewed efforts at (joint submission with Melbourne City Mission These men and women were serious in their – Sarah Toohey 4 David Haywood puts the question of ethics in creating a more peaceful and equitable world. and Brotherhood of St Laurence) intent to fi nd a way of living out their Christian the context of the recent Global Financial Crisis beliefs in their professions as engineers, nurses, The churches and * * * and asks whether we are going to continue on social policy: past doctors and lawyers as well as numerous other with the belief that self regulation and limited and future occupations. They were realists and they grappled government intervention will protect us in a world – Brian Howe 6 with the complexities of their own lives and the that faces very signifi cant new global questions New Social Policy Research Unit publication common good. Many of them are and have been such as climate change and sustainability. How religious inspiration active in current policy debates about economic has helped shape Consumer protection in essential services such Researching the Gaps: the needs of women who have experienced long term domestic violence and employment policies, tax reform, and Australian social reform: as home energy provision is a case in point and by Lucy Healey, Borderlands Cooperative. Available on Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service website. refugee and indigenous health policies. Historical the Student Christian Sarah Toohey provides an update on the move perspective and lasting values are needed to Movement and the towards a National Energy Market. grapple with questions such as those posed by Newman Society Good Shepherd activism today has grown from David Hayward in this edition. – Bruce Duncan 9 a response to an historical reality of poverty The way forward is not a Christian News 12 and injustice in 19th Century Europe. St Mary fundamentalism, but a methodology that Who’s Who in the Social Policy Research Unit: Euphrasia was born in 1796 at a time of social continues to explore the fundamental human upheaval following the French Revolution. At values of the unique dignity and spirituality of each the age of 21 she began her religious life caring Marilyn Webster Manager Students on placement: person and a questioning of the social reality. for young women who were orphans or at ‘WE ARE GOOD SHEPHERD. Barry Pullen Policy Consultant Clare Gillett and Matt Tang (Monash University, Medicine) Radical voices must still be allowed to speak; new risk of exploitation. In Belgium in the 1880s a Our mission is shaped by Kathy Landvogt Social Policy Researcher are doing a community placement scoping food insecurity ways will not be found without openness to new Catholic priest Joseph Cardijn saw the plight of our inheritance of the vision, Tanya Corrie Senior Project Worker at the Lynall Hall breakfast club. understandings. In the past Christian intellectuals his former school friends who were working in courage and audacity of Saint and visionaries such as Niebhur, Cardijn and St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier and We welcome new team members: Roisin Wade (Latrobe University, Health Sciences) is scoping the factories in the new industrial era. Cardijn the health status of traffi cked women. Mary Euphrasia have pointed the way. the Good Shepherd tradition Tanya Corrie comes to us from banking and held various saw that the social reality, in particular the work she began. Ours is a vision roles in branches, compliance and project management, and Gemma Carey (PhD, University of Melbourne, Population reality, was shaping the moral standards of the by Denis Sheehan for promoting a world of justice has studied policy, politics and economics. A commitment Health) is researching the Social Inclusion Agenda. time. He commenced a youth movement, the and peaceful co-existence. Denis was chaplain to the Young Christian to social justice and an interest in policy brought about a Young Christian Workers (YCW) that encouraged Ours is the courage to embrace We have three students from RMIT University: young workers to take back their dignity and Workers from 1982 to 1994. He is currently wholeheartedly innovative change of career and sees her with us in the not for profi t working on a pilot project with Good Shepherd sector. Patrick O’Keeffe (Social Work) is undertaking an internal have a say in the world around them. It was his and creative ways of enabling service summary. inspiration and that of many others such as St Youth & Family Service and St Luke’s Bendigo, people of all cultural, religious Will Farrier has joined us as a volunteer, assisting with Vincent de Paul and St Mary Euphrasia that have to develop an agency response to unemployment. and social backgrounds to editing and research support to the unit. Irene Morgan (Social Science) is investigating education enjoy the fullness of life, which rebates. laid the foundation for a Christian activism that is personal, based on the unique dignity of each is the right of every human Jacinta Cleary (Social Work/Psychology) is planning an person and at the same time questioning of the being. Ours is the inheritance to boldly challenge those evaluation for the St Kilda ‘Outlandish’ program. social reality. structures and beliefs that diminish human dignity. We work to ensure the A recent ABC television program, Message Stick (19/06/2010) documents the success of a Queensland value of every human being, Contact us: Government public servant who lived in a remote indigenous community (Lockhart River) for six the communities that enable months to listen to ways in which government money could be most effectively used. One method Good Policy is a publication of Social Policy Research Unit, Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service us all to thrive and the integrity 21 Budd Street, Collingwood Vic 3066 Tel (03) 9418 3000 Fax (03) 9418 3001 Email [email protected] Web www.goodshepvic.org.au used was a listening circle where everyone was able to sit and listen, and determine a common decision. At the beginning of one such listening circle, one of the women prayed, ‘Holy Spirit be of the environment that Publisher Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service Design Deztop Design. Material contained in Good Policy does not necessarily refl ect the policy with us and guide our discussions, so that we may decide what is good for all and not what is best guarantees both.’ of Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service or the views of any of its staff members. Articles may be reproduced if full acknowledgement is given. only for ourselves’.

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the Student Christian Movement and the Newman Society The Global Financial Crisis: a

by David Hayward social action needs to be based on fi rm what being a Catholic means” (p.261). Green writes how key theologians biblical and theological foundations…”’; He was strongly infl uenced by the YCW “taught me how one might reconcile Dean of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning, RMIT University while Davis McCaughey thought that Gospel discussion methods, which a critical approach to the hierarchical holding social justice and theology encouraged refl ection, debate and church with a love of the institution itself” “together became too diffi cult. So people personal appropriation of the message (p.149). Paul Grundy adds, “Here is just held on to the social justice…” along with its practical implications for the mystery for Christians: to love... the For the last 18 months, become a global voice in the newly sector borrowing, in part of course (p.377). McCaughey put his fi nger daily living. world is to engage in its redemption”, emerging policy regime ideologically because they have become the recipients precisely on the issue: how to locate including through work as an engineer the Global Financial Crisis Michael Costigan’s refl ection sketches committed to a Keynesian pump of an extraordinary level of government support for appropriate social action in (p.155). the cultural and political divisions among (GFC) has dominated priming synchronised internationally on handouts. one’s religious commitment. Catholics at this time, including the Other contributors point to negative Australian policy-making to a scale never seen before by the likes This raises in turn the question of the Renate Howe has produced a very opposition of the liberal Newman groups aspects of the Apostolate. Margaret of the World Bank and the International a degree that is rarely seen. benefi ciaries of the policy response to the professional history, based on extensive to the conservative anti-communist Monetary Fund. Coady indicates the clericalism among In one sense this is entirely Global Financial Crisis. While the broader research and many interviews. The movements around BA Santamaria. some; and with other women, Marie understandable, for it has been a very In the process of doing this, the then economic benefi ts are diffi cult to dispute, book is a splendid publication by UNSW Rowan Ireland reviews the Newman Joyce expresses the pain felt by long time since we have witnessed Prime Minister Rudd took the opportunity not everyone has benefi ted equally. Press, with fascinating photos, excellent Society publications, admiring “the continuing patriarchal assumptions in a globally synchronised economic to carve out a space for a new social Those who would otherwise have been footnoting and a scholarly index. depth of thought and passionate the Church, and the slow awakening to democracy in Australia. The politics contraction that has taken with it the unemployed have certainly benefi ted. The ‘University Apostolate’ the insights of the women’s movements of tax cuts and low debt were quickly engagement in specifi c items” (p.100), world’s biggest banks and car makers, But in an economy that is dominated by Golden Years: Grounds for Hope offers among Apostolate members. Joanne replaced by a politics of short-term while being aware that the Catholic and left a good many countries tottering a few major companies in every major a spectrum of views of how Catholics Lee Dow writes of the disappointments government-funded consumption Church was trying to catch up with on the edge of ruin. market from banking to retailing to airlines at Melbourne University attempted to after the Vatican Council, and the spending and longer-term debt-funded what was happening elsewhere. “There and telephony, the main benefi ciaries bring their faith to bear on contemporary “prejudicial sex and gender inequities of On the other hand, the GFC has had nation-building. A fi xation with budget is a tone of excitement about being were destined to be those who probably social problems. The book is the result the university and Australian society”, relatively little effect on the Australian surpluses and deregulation that had part of a new church in the making”, needed help least. of nine seminars run over 18 months along with more recent attacks on economy. We have weathered the storm dominated Australian politics for twenty with some “anxiety about our failures in 2007–2008, and contains 100 freedom of conscience in diffi cult moral remarkably well, and are one of the few years was comprehensively destroyed in Who could doubt the massive benefi t the of responsibility, about passing on the contributions from 74 authors. Greg matters (p.187–88). John Funder countries to have missed a recession, a series of brilliant policy and ideological fi rst round of stimulus spending delivered baton across student generations”, and Dening, Emeritus Professor of History recounts the disappointment and dismay and whose unemployment rates have interventions, including of course Rudd’s to our big retailers, with retail spending their own limited capabilities (p.104). risen only marginally. boosted to record levels instead of at Melbourne University, undertook the among many about Humanae Vitae, foray into essay writing for left leaning Various contributors (Marie Joyce, Jan slump? As John Richard Uechtritz, CEO editing, but died suddenly in March 2008 and the consequent disillusionment with The signifi cance of the GFC then for magazines, which has served to whip the Watson) comment on the spirituality that of JB Hi-Fi explained in acknowledging before the book was completed. Val Church leadership and allegiance. Australia is not its economic impact. ideological right into a frenzy. promoted their own development and the impact of the government’s stimulus Noone stepped into the breach as chief Rather it is to be found in the political careers. Tony Coady thought that while On a more positive note, Rowan The massive increase in Government package on his fi rms record half yearly editor, assisted by Terry Blake, Mary response, which has set the context the Apostolate broke down clericalism, Ireland writes of “Our both-and spending was also used as a vehicle to profi ts in February 2009 and it’s like Doyle and Helen Praetz. Dening wrote for a fundamental re-shaping of “we still had a touch of that triumphalism spirituality” embodied in their key words: help redefi ne the relationships between impact on the next quarter’s results, that the ‘University Apostolate’ created a Australian politics and the ideological that has marred so much of the Catholic ‘incarnation, community, search for truth, the Federal Government and the States “The 18-29 youth demographic without “realistic hope” within them of changing landscape in which debates and tradition” (p.126), and were not open Trinity, living church, redemption of the as part of this new social democracy in mortgages and families missed out on “our world for the better” (p.132). policy options are shaped for what enough to the thinking of Protestants world, vocation.’ The news sheets give the form of a new federalism in which the the last December package, but they’ll might turn out to be a generation. Despite the recollections of many evidence of “practising in the groups, Federal government has emerged as the receive handouts from this one,” he said. and Anglicans. members and friends, Fr Jerry Golden SJ however, haltingly, even painfully, a new The speed and extent of the Federal ever more powerful player. Much of the So much did retail spending lift in the remains a curiously elusive presence in Some contributors see the Apostolate mode of being church... the theology Government’s response to the crisis Federal stimulus spending was funded December quarter of 2008 that the these pages. Dave McKenna thinks that methods contributing to their current was in the making in our refl ections.” both within Australia and internationally via the States, whose budgets benefi ted Australian Bureau of Statistics had “Fr Golden never gave a sustained talk” interests. Geoff Lacey critiques current (p.205–207). set the tone. Within a remarkably short enormously from the much-needed cash. to put out a special issue explaining to the Newman Society during his 16 directions in technological change, and period from the onset of the crisis in Borrowing from Andrew Greely’s ‘both- For their part, the conservative how it intended to adjust its data to years as chaplain (p.99). Golden wrote calls for a more organic way of living October 2008, the Federal Government and’ tendency in Catholicism, Ireland Opposition parties were awkwardly accommodate the one-off effect of the little, though the Golden Years features (p.137). He laments the way science had announced fi rst one, then a second writes that their spirituality “involved the ‘wedged’. Unsure of what to say, they stimulus package, particularly purchases his 1955 preface to the important has been diverted to serve the interests stimulus package involving spending found themselves supporting an old creative quest for human fl ourishing in of household equipment such as plasma Newman publication, ‘The Incarnation of capital and the military complex, commitments exceeding $53b over a neo-liberal agenda that has lost both this world for ourselves and for others, TVs and surround sound systems. in the University’, arguing how Catholic when it could have concentrated on fi ve year period; it had overseen the its political constituency and its moral faith should support the lay vocation promoting social justice and human on the understanding that God ordained lowering of interest rates to very low authority courtesy of the fi nancial mess And then there’s banking – the global to reshape the world in accord with the wellbeing. He looks for ways to and graced human fl ourishing”. The levels; it had rolled out a comprehensive that fi nancial deregulation had left in industry at the heart of the global fi nancial Gospel. disentangle science from a materialist “spirituality both endorsed secular package of measures designed to its wake. Even the banks – once the crisis. The Government rolled out a world view (pp.168–169). modernity and criticised exclusive As many contributions attest, Golden’s maintain confi dence in the fi nancial great champions of liberalisation – $700 billion guarantee of all deposits, and secularity that framed the discourse of ‘silences’ were famously non-directive, Len Puglisi pursues the implications of system, including extensive guarantees have become cautious champions of then followed this up with a guarantee for faith as irrational…” for deposits and borrowings; and it had government intervention and public bank borrowings. The package helped for he wanted people to “discover for climate change for urban planning and themselves the thrilling realisation of models of economic growth. Dennis continued �

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How religious inspiration has helped shape Australian social reform: question of money or ethics?

As mainly working class, Catholics After the World Missionary Conference Second World War occasioned more were naturally under-represented at the at Edinburgh in 1910, Temple visited urgent questions about pacifi sm and universities, and tended to concentrate Australian cities, urging Christian conscientious objection. Pacifi sm was on medicine and law. However, they students to apply ‘Christ’s ideal to the strong in the ASCM, though Reinhold formed active groups through the actual facts of contemporary life. We Neibuhr’s writings had shifted some like Campion Societies from the 1930s, have practically no Christian social Boyce Gibson to a ‘just war’ position struggling to appropriate Catholic history doctrine: and we must gradually fi nd (cf. p.216). concentrate the banking industry to a banks’ decision to cut interest rates when It is a dangerous legacy because it and identity, often in a polemical or one. This is the work of the students.’ degree not seen before, with the Big Four rates were falling and the speed with justifi es leaving the more diffi cult and apologetic context. (p.117). Temple’s infl uence ‘transformed Howe also gives special attention to using their new found market power to which they were prepared to raise them complex policy problems alone at great social and theological understanding in the role of women in the ASCM, and buy up smaller players, who have lost once the Reserve Bank started to push social and environmental cost. The Student Christian Movement the ASCM’, Howe writes. the awakening to the dominance of signifi cant market share. In August 2008 them back up again. As the former Prime Renate Howe draws on her extensive This moral and ethical framework patriarchy in the churches and the the Big Four accounted for 59 per cent Minister Kevin Rudd himself put it in an knowledge of social and political The ASCM soon moved in a more must include questions about the core movement itself. of the residential mortgage market. Today interview with Fairfax Radio on November movements as she highlights the ecumenical direction with the move responsibilities of government. Are there they account for 79 per cent. 4th 2009: important role the ASCM played in of the national offi ce from Sydney By war’s end, many of the people who things that should never be outsourced? helping shape the intellectual and moral to Melbourne, where it found strong had passed through the ASCM, with Macquarie Bank – the millionaire factory “I do note a contrast between, shall I I would count amongst these services climate in Australia and the development support in the high standards of the its ideals of full employment and social as it is known in fi nancial circles – would say, the speed with which interest rates the ability to impose force or violence of social policy that followed. One of newly founded Melbourne College of betterment, were moving into positions have been in very deep trouble without are brought down on the part of the or which severely restrict another’s her central themes traces the continual Divinity (1910), involving the Presbyterian, of infl uence in government departments the Federal government’s extensive and commercial banks and the speed with liberties – prisons, detention centres, efforts to translate their understanding of Anglican and Methodist colleges. and other organisations, including the generous levels of support and at very which they are put up.” the military, police and the judiciary all fall the moral imperatives of Christianity into Brotherhood of St Laurence. From 1950, little cost. It was able to make extensive The ASCM in the early twenties dropped It is here in this confused moral and into this category. I would also include contemporary responses to changing a growing interaction and collaboration use of the Government’s AAA credit its missionary emphasis and instead ethical space that we seem to have learnt here regulatory frameworks governing social issues, alleviation of poverty, developed between the ASCM and rating to raise funds that otherwise would concentrated on international and least from the Global Financial Crisis. our health and well-being. I do not think war and international confl ict, and race not have been forthcoming while it went social issues, much to the dismay of the Catholic groups, particularly the It is clear that the crisis stemmed from it wise or ethically sensible to allow food relations. busily about unwinding itself from the the churches, which the Movement’s Newman Society and the Young excesses within the fi nancial system, producers or advertisers to set up and complex, but now problematic fi nancial The movement described itself as leadership considered had retreated Christian Workers’ Movement (YCW). especially in the US and Britain. And it is enforce their own codes of conduct. Howe identifi es as major achievements structures it had cleverly constructed over ‘a university within a university’. The from ‘pre-war social reform agendas’ also clear that this was made possible Similarly, there are questions about the of the ASCM in the post-war period the the last 15 years that enabled it to do SCM study groups, meeting and and failed to pursue negotiations for by highly liberalised regulatory regimes ethical suitability of a fi rm to be eligible fostering of ecumenism and awareness well from the privatisation of infrastructure conferences, driven by ‘faith in search church union (p.163). Tensions with the underpinned by the tacit knowledge that to win a government contract. To bid of Australia’s role in the Asian and Pacifi c both in Australia and overseas. of understanding’… promoted ‘a lay churches were exacerbated by debates governments could not afford for the for government funds, one must pay regions (p.308). The Movement was Christian intellectualism – relating about the authority of the Bible and its Yet while the benefi ciaries were those banking system to go belly-up (a moral their taxes. They must be socially aware also involved with refugee resettlement theology to the political, social and interpretation. who probably needed it least, these hazard as economists call it). It is also and committed employers. And they cultural environment of a developing work, which was eventually to evolve clear that greed played an important part. After the 1930 visit to Australia of very same players were by no means must demonstrate a commitment to the Australia.’ (p.17). into the Ecumenical Migration Centre in Dr Howard Guinness, a medical inclined to take a more socially balanced Nevertheless, the missing ingredient environment. Melbourne. or ethical position in their market was an overarching moral and ethical As Howe chronicles, many of Australia’s graduate of Cambridge University, The Global Financial Crisis has taught us dealings. Take Macquarie again. As ‘The framework to which banks and leading thinkers and academics, Evangelical Unions (EU) were formed Our author continues her analysis of a lot about economies and economics. Australian’ reported back in May, the bankers should have been tied in politicians and community activists, in Sydney and Melbourne in opposition the ASCM into its response to the more But the bigger learning is fundamentally bank “was forced to defend the amount order to be able to be such powerful passed through the ranks of the to the ‘Liberal’ ASCM. The EU also radical critique from liberation theology, social, and at its heart is morality and of income tax paid in the past year… players on the world stage. The Movement. With its international moved into some Protestant schools and closer relations with Catholics during ethics. Let’s hope our policy-makers contacts, it opened up channels for the which gave the bank an effective tax rate existence of the bonus culture on partially undermined the recruitment of and after the Second Vatican Council, realise this in the wake of this federal intellectual movements in Europe and students into the ASCM. Howe writes of 1.7 per cent, compared with 15 per Wall Street and elsewhere occurred and the disintegrating cultural malaise election. elsewhere and Australian students were that in Melbourne ‘in the mid-1930s the from 1968. Many members opposed cent the year before and an Australian in a moral and ethical vacuum that corporate rate of 30 per cent.” 1 able to study in Europe, broadening their ASCM… found it easier to cooperate the Vietnam war in this turbulent period, enabled greed to take hold. It is this intellectual horizons. Howe traces the with the [Catholic] Newman Society than and took part in demonstrations. The The ‘Big Four’ banks’ behaviour has vacuum more than anything else that sharpening social focus from the World the EU’ (p.193). organisation supported conscientious also raised some eyebrows. While the needs to be tackled as a priority in the Student Christian Federation conference policy response to the fi nancial crisis, Yet the ASCM engaged strenuously objectors, and some members sheltered Commonwealth Bank chief, Ralph Norris in Oxford in 1909. ‘Central to the focus and yet so far it has failed to make it in its social criticism in the light of the draft dodgers. received some applause for his decision on Christianity and social change was onto the policy agenda in Canberra. scriptures and faith, and produced to take a pay cut and the National a liberal interpretation of the Bible, an However, the increased politicisation many serious publications, including Australia Bank got some good press If there is one lasting and dangerous increasingly divisive issue’ (p.113). A of the ASCM, and at times support for Burgmann’s The people of God: a study for cutting bank fees, overall the banks legacy of the neo-liberal era, it is the young William Temple strongly infl uenced some communist regimes, alienated of the church, its origin and destiny have been rather tardy in acknowledging proposition that the only necessary moral the conference not just about relieving earlier members and wider church (p.1936). their social responsibilities. A number framework is one in which we look after communities. Howe writes that ‘Frank References poverty, but about bringing Christian of people have taken note of the our self interest in a market context free social principles into developing social Howe’s diligent research extends Engel despaired at the younger 1 Murdoch, S Macquarie Bank builds $4 billion war discrepancy between the timing of the of government regulation. chest, The Australian, May 3rd, 2009 and economic reforms. into later debates and issues. The generation’s failure to see that “Christian

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National energy laws How religious inspiration has helped shape Australian social reform: may leave Victoria cold the Student Christian Movement and the Newman Society

by Sarah Toohey Policy Ofﬁ cer, Victorian Council of Social Service

Book Review These very different books explore Our authors do not intend to evaluate by Bruce Duncan CSsR the endeavours of Christian university wider church efforts at social reform. For those concerned with social VICTORIAN CONTEXT Energy markets across Australia are in Director, The Yarra Institute students and staff to draw out the Not only do leading clergy receive Historically, each state and territory in differing stages of development. Some social implications of their faith little attention, but readers need to justice and equity in the provision Australia has provided electricity and gas state governments still own and run commitments. They offer valuable keep in mind the wider networks of lessons in how Christians today might of essential services, regulatory through government-owned businesses. energy companies, others have only parish, educational and social welfare effectively and appropriately bring their In the 1990s, Victoria was the fi rst state just begun to have a competitive energy organisations. consumer protections provide social values into the public forum in to privatise the provision of electricity market and all states other than Victoria the mechanism to ensure that secular democracies like ours. However, the university youth groups were and gas. This set the ball rolling for regulate energy prices. quite signifi cant, though similar problems deregulation across the nation. Renate Howe in her wonderfully private electricity and gas Once a national framework is in place A Century of Infl uence: the arose over time for the ASCM and the illuminating account, A Century of On the fi rst of January 2009, prices for it will be much harder to respond to Australian Student Christian Newman Society: in relating to their providers are required to supply Infl uence, traces the activities of the electricity and gas ceased to be regulated specifi c state based issues as they arise. wider church organisations, managing these services in a way that Movement 1896–1996 Australian Student Christian Movement by the Victorian Government, leaving Changes to the national law will need a generational change in the student Renate Howe (ASCM) over a century from 1896. The recognises the right to access for competition and the market to determine directive from the Ministerial Council on movements, absorbing developments in (Sydney: UNSW Press, 2009) pp.446. ASCM involved mainly people from the the price for these essential services. Energy, a group of all state and territory scripture and theology, and responding all in the community. RRP: $69.95 ISBN 978 1 92141 095 6 Anglican and Protestant churches, though energy ministers. to pressing social issues of poverty, However although prices have been it gradually moved into more openly Golden Years: Grounds for depression and war. In later periods, deregulated, Victorian consumers have NATIONAL ENERGY RETAIL LAWS ecumenical contact with Catholic groups there is considerable overlap in thinking This issue, of consumer a range of consumer protections in The process of developing a common Hope. Father Golden and the from the 1930s. between the ASCM and the Newman place to assist households to manage protections in essential service framework for retail services in a national Newman Society 1950–1966 Val Noone’s Golden Years: Grounds for Society, and cross fertilisation of ideas their energy bills and ensure that no energy market has taken a number (ed. Val Noone, with Terry Blake, Hope. Father Golden and the Newman and infl uences. But in earlier periods, the provision, is now being debated household is disconnected from energy of years and ongoing consultations. Mary Doyle and Helen Praetz. Society 1950–1966 revolves around the churches tended to operate in separate at a national level and changes supply due to an incapacity to pay. In 2009 the results of these consultations Melbourne: Golden Project, 2008), person of Father Jerry Golden SJ and the silos, though in the universities the These protections have evolved over a to the Victorian consumer were released in the fi rst exposure draft pp.270, RRP: $49.95 University Apostolate, as it was called, Anglican and the major Protestant groups number of years following pressure by of the National Energy Retail Laws. ISBN 978 0 646 50478 0. during the post-war economic boom and through the ASCM developed strong links. protection framework are afoot. community and consumer organisations, A second exposure draft was released the excitement of the Second Vatican including Good Shepherd Youth & Family The sectarianism of the period, however, in November 2009. Council, opening Catholics to a closer Service and Victorian Council of Social kept Catholics in particular confi ned involvement in social reform movements, Service, to address specifi c issues faced While attempting to pull together a range to a parallel universe of thought and and also to ecumenical collaboration. by consumers in the competitive energy of consumer protection mechanisms activity. Howe understandably does not What makes this book unique are the market. from various states, the draft laws did explore this, but it may be helpful for not acknowledge how these protections accounts by numerous participants of readers to be aware of how this isolation THE NATIONAL ENERGY MARKET work in concert to create a consumer how the Newman Society and Father was reinforced by the heavy-handed In 2004, the Council of Australian protection framework. For instance, while Golden affected their lives. It combines Vatican response to the Modernist Governments (COAG) agreed to establish they mandate times when houses cannot telling anecdote with insightful refl ection. crisis from 1907, in reaction to the new a National Energy Market, which would be disconnected, it does not set out Some readers may be quite surprised historical-critical methods in Scriptural provide for uniform regulation of the timeframes for reconnection. This basic at how so many of Australia’s studies, history and theology. Practically electricity and gas industry across discrepancy means that even where a academic and political luminaries all the leading Catholic scholars were Australia. The transition to a National household has remedied the reason for have been associated with either silenced and the anti-Modernist Energy Market has progressed in stages, disconnection, there’s no guarantee that the ASCM or the Newman Society. campaigns wreaked havoc on the with the regulation of generation (power they can get back on supply as soon as These books unveil some of the social engagement of Catholics. This stations), transmission (high voltage possible. signifi cant channels for religiously retreat into devotionalism meant that power lines) and distribution (street poles) Many consumer protections that have inspired aspirations to promote human the Catholic Church was not engaged all moving to the national domain. evolved in Victoria over time work in wellbeing in Australia’s increasingly as constructively as it could have been The last remaining area of reform, and the concert to reinforce each other and secular environment, and explore with contemporary social ideas and one that is critical to consumers, is retail these small details, like disconnection their practical effects. Our authors movements. It was largely left to the regulation. This means regulation that and reconnection times, can make a big indicate that beneath our secular civil Anglican and Protestant thinkers to play sets out people’s basic rights to access difference to people’s lives. culture run deeper currents for social the lead roles in relating Christian values essential services and in dealing with their betterment, inspired by the Gospel in to public policy matters in the early energy company. different ways. twentieth century. continued �

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Provision for hardship programs, fl exible Allowing these mechanisms to be used This critical compliance tool has been left payment arrangements, guidelines for only when a household is experiencing out of the national draft laws. The churches and social policy: past and future the provision of information, the wrongful fi nancial hardship unnecessarily limits the » continued disconnection payment and the ban options available to consumers to meet WHERE TO FROM HERE? on late payment fees and pre-payment their payment obligations. The Ministerial Council on Energy will meters are all critical aspects of Victoria’s have to agree on fi nal changes to the Despite these criticisms, it is encouraging current protections for vulnerable and National Energy Retail Law before it is to see that preventing consumer hardship working conditions. Philanthropy How should we ascertain the issues References disadvantaged households in their access introduced into the South Australian in the provision of essential services should put as much resource into that should most engage this Institute? 1 Tippet, K Speaking of Faith, Obama’s Theologian: to essential services. Parliament in late 2010. The nature of has been recognised in the law. What is implementation as it does into research: The issue of climate change is perhaps the Legacy of Reinhold Niebuhr and the Future national reform means that compromise of Christian Realism at http://speakingoffaith. needed now is a more comprehensive both are essential. the issue of our time. Rufus Black, a publicradio.org/programs/2009/obamas-theologian HARDSHIP is made to secure agreement. However, and fl exible approach to this issue. very creative and far sighted theologian Victoria’s energy laws require companies when the price of essential services is Establishing a research and action 2 Duncan, B (2009) Yarra Institute of Religion and to develop programs to assist households set by the market, as it is in Victoria, here in Melbourne, thinks that we have Public Policy LATE PAYMENT FEES centre in 2009 is very different to experiencing fi nancial hardship. This consumer protections are even more vital not yet got fi xed in our imagination the Late payment fees penalise households establishing something forty years ago. 3 Davison, G (2000) The Compassionate Eye: requirement came about as a result of and the Government simply cannot afford extraordinary issues that will face us Research and Reform The Seventh F. Oswald having trouble paying their bills and force It does require a critical or sceptical two extensive investigations into utilities to compromise. through this century as we factor in the Barnett Oration held at St Johns Southgate, these households to prioritise electricity hermeneutic. Niebuhr might have said Tuesday 24th October 2000, Uniting Care hardship: the Utility Debt Spiral Project limits of growth, shortages of water and Connections and Ecuemenical Housing and gas over other essential needs, The Victorian Government has committed something like this… by the Committee for Melbourne and the arable land, nuclear proliferation and such as food and housing costs. For this to a consumer protection framework “Decisions about what ought to be done exponential growth of new technologies. 4 Wansborough, A (2000) Speaking Together: a Victorian Government’s hardship inquiry. Methodology for the National Council of Churches’ reason, late payment fees for electricity that does not leave Victorian households require us to relate biblical demand for The churches have made an Contribution to the Public Policy Debate in Australia, These processes helped to frame what and gas have been banned in Victoria. worse off. This must include continuation justice to investigation into social facts, PhD thesis University of Sydney, Department of enormous investment in caring, but Religious Studies, Vol 1, pp 387 can be a diffi cult concept to quantify. of critical protections such as the ban theories about economy and society, When introducing legislation to ban late caring in an ever more acquisitive and Utilities hardship is not experienced in on late payment fees and the wrongful and an informed assessment about the 5 Ul Haq, M (1995) Refl ections on Human payment fees in the lower house, the materialistic society will increasingly the same way, for the same reasons by disconnection payment. probable results of alternative causes Development, Oxford University Press then Treasurer John Brumby stated, “the become more problematic. Theology all households and for this reason a one of action. No single element determines 6 The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) government does not believe that people Widespread support for Victoria’s is ultimately about imagining an size fi ts all approach to hardship is not the conclusion and our thinking about main objectives are to eliminate poverty, create jobs, who are unable to pay their bills on consumer protection framework from alternative future, as in the vision of regenerate the environment and advance the status effective. all of the elements is apt to be subtly of women. time should be penalised further by late the community sector will continue to be Isaiah. It is this exciting challenge, 1 changed in the process of relating one Unfortunately a desire for a uniform payment fees” . essential in assuring that the fi nal national which is being embraced by the Yarra 7 Howe, R. (2009) A Century of Infl uence: The approach seems to have informed the energy retail laws do not leave vulnerable to the other”. Australian Student Christian Movement: 1896–1996, This is a view that VCOSS continues to Institute. response to hardship in the National Victorians out in the cold. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney share. Unfortunately late payment fees Niebuhr was not a communitarian, but Energy Retail Laws. The draft law defi nes brought to us a kind of wisdom ethics, 8 Holden C, Trembath, R and Brett, J (2008) have been allowed in the national draft Divine discontent: the Brotherhood of St Laurence: consumers in fi nancial hardship as a References which requires a settled disposition and a history legislation. , Australian Scholarly Publishing, North ‘hardship customer’. This approach 1 Brumby, John, “Energy Legislation (Amendment) Bill”, a set of attitudes, which is both critical Melbourne, Victoria suggests that there is a fi xed class of WRONGFUL DISCONNECTION Legislative Assembly Second reading (Hansard) 4 and responsible. There is no easy shift November 2004 accessed at http://tex.parliament.vic. 9 Nussbaum, M C and Sen, A eds. (1993). customers that experience hardship, The Victorian Wrongful Disconnection gov.au/bin/texhtmlt?form=VicHansard.adv from literal text to responsible action. The Quality of Life, Oxford: Clarendon Press rather than acknowledging fi nancial Payment compensates households who 2 Essential Services Commission, Energy Retailers hardship as an event that can be have been disconnected without proper Comparative Performance Report – Customer Service episodic, short or long term. disconnection procedures being followed. 2007-08, December 2008 In practice, this is likely to mean that It provides for the living expenses hardship assistance would be limited associated with disconnection and as an to a range of consumers that fi t certain incentive to retailers to adhere to correct customer characteristics, rather than by procedures. their specifi c circumstances at a point This payment was designed to curb in time. the increasing rate of disconnection seen in 2003–2004 and to ensure that FLEXIBLE PAYMENT energy retailers were complying with the ARRANGEMENTS requirements of the Energy Retail Code. Flexible payment arrangements and After the introduction of the payment, payment options such as Centrepay disconnection numbers in Victoria fell can assist households to manage their and have remained relatively steady, at energy bills and actually help to prevent around 0.29 disconnections per 100 consumers from falling in to fi nancial The Good Policy newsletter households. In contrast, other states hardship. have disconnection rates that are much ‘Good Policy’ is the newsletter of the Social Policy Research Unit of Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service. We aim to bring the latest news of research and policy developments in areas of importance to our supporters, colleagues, service partners, higher – around 1.13 per 100 households interested donors and funders, responding to the ongoing interest in the policy voice and research outcomes of Good Shepherd Youth & Family in Queensland and 0.85 per 100 in South Service. Thankyou to all contributors and supporters. Australia for 2007–20082.

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by Professor Brian Howe AM (Based on the paper given at the ofﬁ cial opening of the Yarra Institute of Religion and Public Policy, April 2009)

My own interest in public It would be wrong to underestimate what been a rapid expansion of universities Ann Wansborough4, referring to Churches may often do little more It is important to underline the shift theology was fi rst sparked by is involved in translating a “template of and research institutes employing large National Council of Churches than run a commentary on political in ethics represented by the focus values” into public policy. I recall as a numbers of professional researchers on human development as outlined reading Reinhold Niebhur’s statements, explains, “the churches developments while pursuing incremental Minister in the Hawke government with trained in the theory and methods of need to articulate and examine their remedial strategies that do not go to the above. Amartya Sen has played a very Gifford lectures, published responsibility for social policy rather the social sciences. Many of these underlying assumptions, explain their core of needed changes. important role, as an economist with a under the title ‘The Nature and overusing the word ‘ought’ as in “the institutions seek to infl uence public hermeneutic, or way of interpreting feel for ethics, in rejecting the negative Mahbub ul Haq5, the architect of the Government ought to do this or that”. policy either directly or indirectly. It is a the world…They also need to listen, view of human nature, which he feels Destiny of Man’. United Nations Development Program I soon learned that in arguments with much more crowded fi eld. This opens learn, reconsider their arguments, and is implicit in the utilitarianism that As a theological student in Melbourne and (UNDP) development strategy, set out the other Ministers and public offi cials it up considerable opportunities for sometimes change their own life or underlies neo classical economics. Sen later in Chicago, I read many of Niebuhr’s following principles: was important, without disregarding the collaboration including with organisations, their approach to policy matters”. is not a socialist who rejects the utility of books and articles. The infl uence of moral imperative, to fi nd complementary which are not specifi cally Christian, » development must put people at the markets, but is committed to reducing Niebhur is lasting. In an interview with reasons why something should be done. but which for example, share the Yarra Wansborough describes the centre of its concerns inequalities not only in income, but in Barak Obama prior to his assuming the Institute’s commitment to the UN ‘hermeneutical circle’ methodology, which various dimensions of human life. Sen is In 1969 I was responsible for initiating an » the purpose of development is to presidency of the United States, David Millennium Goals. might help churches to bring more rigour opposed to simplistic notions of poverty ecumenical centre in Fitzroy, which later enlarge all human choice not just Brookes reports that Obama seemed to their public statements. Perhaps the and inequality based on single indicators. became known as the Centre for Urban The social sciences were far more income tired and disinterested, until Brookes most important point she makes is that He emphasises the multiple indicators Research and Action (CURA). This centre advanced in the United States than » the human development paradigm mentioned the name of Niebuhr, at which “theology is necessary, but insuffi cient”. which UNDP use to measure comparative hoped to infl uence various government they were in Australia before and after is concerned with both building point Obama reeled off the books that he The churches need to also use the wellbeing such as health status, years of policies through a bottom-up process the Second World War. Niebhur was human capabilities (through had read by that author and explained insights of secular theories and tools education, and opportunities for political involving research, refl ection and action important as a theologian there because investment in people ) and with what he had taken from them. developed in secular analysis. participation.9 People in Sen’s terms are or community organisation. At that time he recognised that he needed to take the using those capabilities (through an denied the capability to do and to be if At a Georgetown University forum there were a number of modest church- social sciences seriously, although never For the Yarra Institute, identifying policies enabling framework for growth and they are not treated with respect, if they ‘The Legacy of Reinhold Niebuhr and based agencies in Melbourne that did in an uncritical way. He recognised that based on the “values that help bring development) are not able to participate in the way the Future of Christian Realism’ research such as the Brotherhood of both theology and the social sciences us to our full stature as human beings” » human development has four essential that their community is governed, if they columnist E J Dionne refl ected on why St Laurence and the Ecumenical had an interest in human nature, but is therefore a hermeneutical task that pillars: equity, sustainability, productivity do not have good health or are unable Niebuhr seemed to be relevant again Migration Centre. There was very little also that the social sciences are not requires inspecting the assumptions and empowerment; and to complete their education. Any one to public policy in the United States. professional social research undertaken neutral forces, having been captured which lie behind our espoused policies of these factors can reduce peoples’ Dionne recalled that by the end of the in Australia. Sociology was only just by ‘the soft utopianism of the liberal or strategies. For example, pursuing » the human development paradigm capability to function normally in their 1920s when Niebuhr became active, being established at Latrobe University world’ which failed to take seriously the the Millennium Development Goals defi nes the ends of development community. the economic depression had quickly and Swinburne College of Technology. contradictions in human nature inherent or, more modestly, the challenge of and analyses sensible options for swept away all trivia as public policy 6 Psychology and social work were focused in Christian theology. Niebuhr above all the lack of development in parts of achieving them. I have recently been involved in the was focused on depression and then on individual development. Economics stressed the infi nite capacity of people for Northern Australia, requires refl ection It should not be imagined that Australian discussions about how effective war. In the current economic crisis was then dominated by Keynesian self deception when it suited them. On on sustainable development and Christians have not played an important philanthropy can be in bringing about Niebuhr’s doctrine of ‘Christian realism’ or ideas soon to be replaced by supply- the other hand Niebuhr emphasised the how to build an integrated policy that change. I recall that in 1975 CURA something similar might emerge as very role in pursuing these principles. For side economics with its emphasis on redemptive power of love, anticipating seeks to balance economic, social and received a very large grant in International relevant.1 example Australian Volunteers Abroad mathematical modelling and markets. The the later development of an ecumenical environmental factors. From one point of was largely developed by members of Women’s Year to undertake research on The vision for the Yarra Institute of social sciences in Australia then were in theology in the 1960s. view Indigenous people suffer from many the Student Christian Movement, and the working conditions of migrant women their infancy. Few theological students Religion and Public Policy set out I have referred to Niebuhr at some length disabilities which help to maintain their Community Aid Abroad, these days part working in manufacturing industry in inner trained in Australia in this period would by its Director Bruce Duncan is that partly because he was so successful in low socio-economic status. However of Oxfam, grew out of the Food for Peace Melbourne. The study was important have had a background in the social “social issues can be approached communicating on issues which today from another point of view the survival of program initiative by Father Kennedy in uncovering the scandal of working sciences. from a template of values…that help we would describe as public theology. Indigenous people as a relatively intact Tucker7 8.The campaign based on Jubilee conditions then applying in many factories bring us to our full stature as human Professor Graeme Davison in his Barnett He was both very well informed on culture represents triumph over adversity principles, strongly supported by the in inner Melbourne and was subsequently beings. They are values that we share lecture ‘The Compassionate Eye: many issues of public concern and also due largely to the adaptive strength of Roman Catholic Church, substantially the subject of a Four Corners programme on ABC television. However the most not just with other Christians or Jews, Research and Reform’3 summarised the recognised the importance of identifying Indigenous culture. In this discussion the reduced the debt of developing important thing that we did was but with people of other religions and role churches played in pioneering social the fundamental assumptions which role of the churches has been important countries and emphasised investment in to set aside a third of the grant for even people who may hold no religions research over the previous century. He lay behind the social sciences. He took and remains important, but determining development. Each of these programs 2 implementation through a migrant beliefs at all”. saw the 1970s as a period of transition seriously the hermeneutical task of public a position requires a capacity for self sought to achieve a paradigm shift, not working women’s centre to follow up with from ‘the amateurs’ to ‘the professionals’. theology. criticism as well as theological depth. incremental change. Over the following decades there has people and to continue placing pressure on employers and authorities to improve

continued �

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by Professor Brian Howe AM (Based on the paper given at the ofﬁ cial opening of the Yarra Institute of Religion and Public Policy, April 2009)

continued �

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Good Policy is a free newsletter, which generally comes out twice a year. Back copies available or see our website www.goodshepvic.org.au. All feedback is welcome.

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National energy laws How religious inspiration has helped shape Australian social reform: may leave Victoria cold the Student Christian Movement and the Newman Society by Sarah Toohey Policy Ofﬁ cer, Victorian Council of Social Service

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How religious inspiration has helped shape Australian social reform: question of money or ethics?

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the Student Christian Movement and the Newman Society The Global Financial Crisis: a by David Hayward social action needs to be based on fi rm what being a Catholic means” (p.261). Green writes how key theologians biblical and theological foundations…”’; He was strongly infl uenced by the YCW “taught me how one might reconcile Dean of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning, RMIT University while Davis McCaughey thought that Gospel discussion methods, which a critical approach to the hierarchical holding social justice and theology encouraged refl ection, debate and church with a love of the institution itself” “together became too diffi cult. So people personal appropriation of the message (p.149). Paul Grundy adds, “Here is just held on to the social justice…” along with its practical implications for the mystery for Christians: to love... the For the last 18 months, become a global voice in the newly sector borrowing, in part of course (p.377). McCaughey put his fi nger daily living. world is to engage in its redemption”, emerging policy regime ideologically because they have become the recipients precisely on the issue: how to locate including through work as an engineer the Global Financial Crisis Michael Costigan’s refl ection sketches committed to a Keynesian pump of an extraordinary level of government support for appropriate social action in (p.155). the cultural and political divisions among (GFC) has dominated priming synchronised internationally on handouts. one’s religious commitment. Catholics at this time, including the Other contributors point to negative Australian policy-making to a scale never seen before by the likes This raises in turn the question of the Renate Howe has produced a very opposition of the liberal Newman groups aspects of the Apostolate. Margaret of the World Bank and the International a degree that is rarely seen. benefi ciaries of the policy response to the professional history, based on extensive to the conservative anti-communist Monetary Fund. Coady indicates the clericalism among In one sense this is entirely Global Financial Crisis. While the broader research and many interviews. The movements around BA Santamaria. some; and with other women, Marie understandable, for it has been a very In the process of doing this, the then economic benefi ts are diffi cult to dispute, book is a splendid publication by UNSW Rowan Ireland reviews the Newman Joyce expresses the pain felt by long time since we have witnessed Prime Minister Rudd took the opportunity not everyone has benefi ted equally. Press, with fascinating photos, excellent Society publications, admiring “the continuing patriarchal assumptions in a globally synchronised economic to carve out a space for a new social Those who would otherwise have been footnoting and a scholarly index. depth of thought and passionate the Church, and the slow awakening to democracy in Australia. The politics contraction that has taken with it the unemployed have certainly benefi ted. The ‘University Apostolate’ the insights of the women’s movements of tax cuts and low debt were quickly engagement in specifi c items” (p.100), world’s biggest banks and car makers, But in an economy that is dominated by Golden Years: Grounds for Hope offers among Apostolate members. Joanne replaced by a politics of short-term while being aware that the Catholic and left a good many countries tottering a few major companies in every major a spectrum of views of how Catholics Lee Dow writes of the disappointments government-funded consumption Church was trying to catch up with on the edge of ruin. market from banking to retailing to airlines at Melbourne University attempted to after the Vatican Council, and the spending and longer-term debt-funded what was happening elsewhere. “There and telephony, the main benefi ciaries bring their faith to bear on contemporary “prejudicial sex and gender inequities of On the other hand, the GFC has had nation-building. A fi xation with budget is a tone of excitement about being were destined to be those who probably social problems. The book is the result the university and Australian society”, relatively little effect on the Australian surpluses and deregulation that had part of a new church in the making”, needed help least. of nine seminars run over 18 months along with more recent attacks on economy. We have weathered the storm dominated Australian politics for twenty with some “anxiety about our failures in 2007–2008, and contains 100 freedom of conscience in diffi cult moral remarkably well, and are one of the few years was comprehensively destroyed in Who could doubt the massive benefi t the of responsibility, about passing on the contributions from 74 authors. Greg matters (p.187–88). John Funder countries to have missed a recession, a series of brilliant policy and ideological fi rst round of stimulus spending delivered baton across student generations”, and Dening, Emeritus Professor of History recounts the disappointment and dismay and whose unemployment rates have interventions, including of course Rudd’s to our big retailers, with retail spending their own limited capabilities (p.104). risen only marginally. boosted to record levels instead of at Melbourne University, undertook the among many about Humanae Vitae, foray into essay writing for left leaning Various contributors (Marie Joyce, Jan slump? As John Richard Uechtritz, CEO editing, but died suddenly in March 2008 and the consequent disillusionment with The signifi cance of the GFC then for magazines, which has served to whip the Watson) comment on the spirituality that of JB Hi-Fi explained in acknowledging before the book was completed. Val Church leadership and allegiance. Australia is not its economic impact. ideological right into a frenzy. promoted their own development and the impact of the government’s stimulus Noone stepped into the breach as chief Rather it is to be found in the political careers. Tony Coady thought that while On a more positive note, Rowan The massive increase in Government package on his fi rms record half yearly editor, assisted by Terry Blake, Mary response, which has set the context the Apostolate broke down clericalism, Ireland writes of “Our both-and spending was also used as a vehicle to profi ts in February 2009 and it’s like Doyle and Helen Praetz. Dening wrote for a fundamental re-shaping of “we still had a touch of that triumphalism spirituality” embodied in their key words: help redefi ne the relationships between impact on the next quarter’s results, that the ‘University Apostolate’ created a Australian politics and the ideological that has marred so much of the Catholic ‘incarnation, community, search for truth, the Federal Government and the States “The 18-29 youth demographic without “realistic hope” within them of changing landscape in which debates and tradition” (p.126), and were not open Trinity, living church, redemption of the as part of this new social democracy in mortgages and families missed out on “our world for the better” (p.132). policy options are shaped for what enough to the thinking of Protestants world, vocation.’ The news sheets give the form of a new federalism in which the the last December package, but they’ll might turn out to be a generation. Despite the recollections of many evidence of “practising in the groups, Federal government has emerged as the receive handouts from this one,” he said. and Anglicans. members and friends, Fr Jerry Golden SJ however, haltingly, even painfully, a new The speed and extent of the Federal ever more powerful player. Much of the So much did retail spending lift in the remains a curiously elusive presence in Some contributors see the Apostolate mode of being church... the theology Government’s response to the crisis Federal stimulus spending was funded December quarter of 2008 that the these pages. Dave McKenna thinks that methods contributing to their current was in the making in our refl ections.” both within Australia and internationally via the States, whose budgets benefi ted Australian Bureau of Statistics had “Fr Golden never gave a sustained talk” interests. Geoff Lacey critiques current (p.205–207). set the tone. Within a remarkably short enormously from the much-needed cash. to put out a special issue explaining to the Newman Society during his 16 directions in technological change, and period from the onset of the crisis in Borrowing from Andrew Greely’s ‘both- For their part, the conservative how it intended to adjust its data to years as chaplain (p.99). Golden wrote calls for a more organic way of living October 2008, the Federal Government and’ tendency in Catholicism, Ireland Opposition parties were awkwardly accommodate the one-off effect of the little, though the Golden Years features (p.137). He laments the way science had announced fi rst one, then a second writes that their spirituality “involved the ‘wedged’. Unsure of what to say, they stimulus package, particularly purchases his 1955 preface to the important has been diverted to serve the interests stimulus package involving spending found themselves supporting an old creative quest for human fl ourishing in of household equipment such as plasma Newman publication, ‘The Incarnation of capital and the military complex, commitments exceeding $53b over a neo-liberal agenda that has lost both this world for ourselves and for others, TVs and surround sound systems. in the University’, arguing how Catholic when it could have concentrated on fi ve year period; it had overseen the its political constituency and its moral faith should support the lay vocation promoting social justice and human on the understanding that God ordained lowering of interest rates to very low authority courtesy of the fi nancial mess And then there’s banking – the global to reshape the world in accord with the wellbeing. He looks for ways to and graced human fl ourishing”. The levels; it had rolled out a comprehensive that fi nancial deregulation had left in industry at the heart of the global fi nancial Gospel. disentangle science from a materialist “spirituality both endorsed secular package of measures designed to its wake. Even the banks – once the crisis. The Government rolled out a world view (pp.168–169). modernity and criticised exclusive As many contributions attest, Golden’s maintain confi dence in the fi nancial great champions of liberalisation – $700 billion guarantee of all deposits, and secularity that framed the discourse of ‘silences’ were famously non-directive, Len Puglisi pursues the implications of system, including extensive guarantees have become cautious champions of then followed this up with a guarantee for faith as irrational…” for deposits and borrowings; and it had government intervention and public bank borrowings. The package helped for he wanted people to “discover for climate change for urban planning and themselves the thrilling realisation of models of economic growth. Dennis continued �

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