Holding public office is a massive privilege that comes with even greater responsibility.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I am not a politician but as a bishop in the Anglican Church, I am one who holds public office. Placed by the public into political position, or by the church into the role of bishop, comes with public expectations.
Public office is representative. Indeed we even call the centre of politics in this country, “The House of Representatives”, while using such lofty terms as “The Senate” to describe others in public office.
The cost of scandal
From such weighty office, “Orders of Australia” are awarded to those who commend themselves by their civic duty.
But when public office suffers failures in private performance, then the currency of lofty positions and honours will be devalued.
One only needs to reflect on church scandals to realise the impact on Gospel currency.
Public office in this country demands the very best people and for the sake of the nation, the greatest accountability and scrutiny.
Representation cannot be compartmentalised such that private behaviour has no bearing on public performance. Even NRL football clubs get this.
As an appointed representative, expectations differ within one’s own constituency.
Call for moral integrity
In politics, economics might be at the heart of one voter, local infrastructure at the heart of another and communications for yet another.
In all of these cases, the voting public assume moral integrity.
Those who seek such high office should be very clear that public expectations are always very high, as are the accountabilities and the scrutiny that accompanies.
I write in what I think will be a vain attempt to address recent events in politics with a view to future politics, locally and nationally, and as a reminder to those who hold office in the church.
I say “a vain attempt” because I live in a fallen world where sin is so prevalent and its answer, Jesus Christ, is increasingly marginalised.
Whether I find agreement or not matters little but the truth is that even a sin-affected general public will rightly hold those in public office to a higher bar.
If you enter public office, whether you like it or not, your life will be subject to public scrutiny.
Every aspirant to such noble position should closet their egos for a moment and consider this before accepting the responsibilities that go with the office.
A matter of accountability
Equally, every aspirant to public office should consider the impact of all their decisions on those around them.
Of course, for someone with the integrity to want to be the best and do the best for our nation, accountability is a gift.
The accountabilities of office offer warning and set guards on one’s decision making.
They protect spouse and family and others from public ridicule and they maintain the integrity of the office one holds.
When such accountabilities are ignored by a few, questions will rightly be raised as to the standards of all.
The good character of others will be impugned by association and the rise of a cynical society that has no respect for those who govern us will follow.
Private failure becomes public
I hope I don’t need to point out the disaster of this. Fail in public office, in private performance, and you can expect that failure to be public.
It is a noble thing to aspire to high office, but crucial to understand the high standard you will be held to.
No one is perfect and no one expects perfection but when failure comes, we do expect humble and repentant responses and for most Australians we generally follow them up with forgiveness.
Of course, God will hold us all accountable for the lives we live but it is a comfort to know that when we truly repent of our sins that God stands ready to forgive. And He is ready to offer a fresh start.