Federation Peak in Tasmania is a long way from Capital Hill, yet for Brian Harradine, climbing it with his wife Marian was a ‘matter of survival’.
It wasn’t rugged bush survival that he was talking about—although the five day hike is no mean feat. Rather, the independent Senator for Tasmania wanted to get away from politics in order to re-evaluate his direction.
At nearly 70 years old Harradine—both the oldest member of the senate and the longest serving senator in the Australian parliament—has decided to call it a day.
Driven by his commitment to strive for the rights of the most vulnerable, including refugees, the unborn, the unemployed and exploited, Harradine is known for taking some strong stances. As a result his political career has often been characterised by controversy. His devout faith and perception of his role as a politician helped him to side-step criticism.
‘The purpose of politics is the administration of the common good. Harmonious arrangement of civil order is so that people can live with greater dignity and economic security’, he explains.
In his own life, he has often been challenged by the overwhelming pressures of politics. He has also experienced both darkness and light in his personal life.
One of those dark places was the death of his first wife—which left their six children without a mother. But there is light too: some years later Harradine met his current wife Marian. Brian and Marian now have 27 grandchildren.
They enjoy sharing their faith together and love the outdoors, particularly bushwalking. Being out in the Tasmanian wilderness keeps the Senator grounded. It allows him time to reflect on the wonder of creation.
‘God so loved the world that he gave his only son. Contemplate that and you have a surge of gratitude’, he says.
As
one of the most openly Catholic politicians in Australia, Harradine’s
faith in God has been central to his work. He readily acknowledges the
importance of education, but believes that making sound political decisions
is also reliant on a trusting faith.
‘For every challenge, you need spiritual motivation and intellectual formation … you need to hear God’s voice, and be obedient—though this doesn’t sound very politically correct!’ he says. ‘In the hurly-burly of life, how often do we put aside prime time to really listen?’
He acknowledges that working towards a common good is important and that every decision needs to be as practical as possible for the people it will affect. He says that the evaluation of public policy should be based on a value system to which a broad range of people can adhere.
‘When asked how I, in a pluralist society, evaluate public policy issues, my answer is: by a rigorous analysis of the issues and surrounding facts against a framework of social justice principles, able to be understood by all persons of good will who are committed to a just, free, equal and life-affirming society’, he says.
Harradine speaks about witnessing to Jesus in political and daily life, and quotes St Francis of Assisi: ‘Be always preaching the Gospel, and if necessary, use words’. He believes prayer is an essential daily practice.
The political environment in Australia has changed dramatically since Harradine’s early days as a trade-union official and member of the ALP. Yet as a politician who held the balance of power (at times shared) since 1996—and backed some unfashionable causes—Harradine knew he would always encounter criticism.
‘My greatest foul-ups were when I worried "how am I going to get out of this?", instead of asking "Jesus, how should I respond and help to turn this into an opportunity for good? How are we to meet this challenge?"’
With the close of his political career, Brian Harradine will climb a different mountain and ask new questions. What won’t change is his belief that as long as his relationship with Jesus is strong, he can serve
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