Australia disconnecting from Judaeo-Christian values, Scott Morrison to warn in last speech

The former PM’s valedictory speech to parliament will warn of the ‘drift of secularism’ amid a rise of anti-Semitism and identity politics.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Morrison has urged Australians to reconnect with the Judaeo-Christian values that underpinned the country’s successful representative democracy, warning the nation risked a loss of identity in the face of authoritarian challenges to Western civilisation.

He has also warned against the re-institutionalisation of the economy at a time that would leave the country vulnerable to the global threats to Australia’s sovereignty.

The former prime minister and member for Cook, who on ­Tuesday will deliver his valedictory speech to parliament after announcing his retirement from politics, will warn of the “drift of secularism” amid a rise of anti-Semitism and identity politics.

“Australia is arguably the most successful democracy in the world … It is the basis on which we stand up to autocracy and authoritarianism,” Mr Morrison told The Australian.

“But how do we stand? And on what ground?

“Well, on the very same ground that established our Western civilisation that inspired and enabled the modern, pluralist ­representative democracy we now enjoy.

“We stand on the values that built our successful, free society.

“All of these stem from the core principle of respect for individual human dignity, as does representative democracy and even a market-based capitalist economy. This is a uniquely Judaeo-Christian principle.”

Mr Morrison will also appeal to Australians to unite with Israel, as they had with Ukraine against Russian aggression, reissuing the warning about an arc of autocracy defined by China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Australia’s first openly evangelical Christian prime minister, Mr Morrison on Tuesday will offer a reflection of his time as prime minister more than a defence of his legacy.

Mr Morrison will, however, back his government’s record on its economic and health response to the pandemic.

Mr Morrison leaves parliament this week after nearly 15 years. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“One does not need to share my faith to appreciate the virtue of human rights, and nor am I suggesting that,” the former prime minister said.

“But equally, we should be careful about diminishing the influence and voice of Judaeo-Christian faith in our Western society, as doing so risks our society drifting into a valueless void.

“It is about respecting each other’s human dignity through our creation, by God’s hand, in God’s image, for God’s glory, where each human life is ­eternally valued, is unique, is worthy, is loved and capable.”

The former Liberal leader told The Australian that the ­defining features of his time as prime minister were based on three fundamental principles: foremost that the nation needed to re-engage with the values that had defined it for more than a century during a period of great upheaval and an elevated projection of principles against communist China.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison with wife Jenny and daughters Lily and Abbey. Photo: Instagram / Supplied

“We need to keep standing up to the arc of autocracy, the communist government of China, Iran and Russia and North Korea,” Mr Morrison said.

“We need to stand up to Hamas and Hezbollah … We need to stand with Israel as we stand with Ukraine and stand together against authoritarianism and the totalitarianism of the Chinese Communist Party.

“This is something we need to not just be a party to but be a driver of in our hemisphere.”

The third pillar for Mr Morrison was the threat of reversing the economic gains that had served the country’s prosperity.

“We must be careful not to re-institutionalise our economy, such an approach will only ­negate the capacity we have to deliver on the essentials ­Australians rely on and leave us vulnerable to the threats to our sovereignty,” Mr Morrison said.

“During my time in this place, and as my time as prime minister, we have seen an end to the post-Cold War era and globalisation to a new area of strategic competition.”