Federal Health Minister speaks at Notre Dame Sydney

Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, The Hon Tony Abbott, gave a public lecture last night at Notre Dame’s Sydney Campus. Entitled, “Faith and the public life”, the 30 minute lecture was a frank account of Mr Abbott’s spiritual and public life. The Minister included his views on such controversial issues as euthanasia, abortion, refugees, stem cell research, work choices and the war in Iraq. He said he felt uncomfortable with the title, ‘Captain Catholic of Canberra’ and shunned the role of a Christian crusader. Mr Abbott demonstrated his broad knowledge of other policy areas while taking more than a dozen questions from the audience about subjects as varied as superannuation, his performance in question time in Parliament, abortion policy in Mexico, Aboriginal Health and cervical cancer vaccinations. When asked if he had any ambitions for the Prime Minister’s job, Mr Abbott replied, “I stand ready to serve and have ambitions for higher things, but not necessarily for higher office.” The evening ended with a light supper and conversation with senior staff and a number of students studying politics at Notre Dame