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The Kapunda Press is the institute’s imprint, published in association with Connor Court Publishing. Among his many other roles, Patrick McMahon Glynn was the editor of the Kapunda Herald from 1883-91, and an engraved letter from the paper’s original masthead serves as the publisher’s mark for the Kapunda Press. In addition to the books of the Kapunda Press, the institute’s publications include brochures, pamphlets, lectures, discussion papers, occasional papers, and reports on policy issues.
Catholic social teaching had a venerable influence on Australian political history, but does it still have anything to offer? Greg Craven argues that it remains an important resource for addressing the central challenges of Australian politics. Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott, Frank Brennan SJ, Philip Booth and Sandie Cornish offer their own thoughts in response about what Catholic social teaching brings to policymaking.
Greg Craven
Purchase Shadow of the Cross: Catholic Social Teaching and Australian Politics
“Bragg is up for a fight for a more just Australia.”
Stan Grant
Purchase Buraadja: the Liberal Case for National Reconciliation
“This important book examines the implications of significant societal changes for the vitality of civil society.”
Peter Kurti
“Beyond political tribalism lie a deeper literacy about our histories, a commitment to identifying the grammar of a common language, and the work of negotiating a shared future by looking for solutions that have a degree of durability and credibility even if they are no-one’s ideal.”
“From Menzies’s ‘forgotten people’ and the ‘Howard battlers’ to today’s ‘quiet Australians’, the Liberal Party has always sought to represent the breadth of aspiration in Australian life. We do this as Liberals through what John Howard celebrated as our broad church bringing together classic liberal and conservative traditions. Tim Wilson challenges us to reflect on the philosophical timbers that build modern Australia and to see how liberalism might be shaped in the 2020s. This book prods, stirs and challenges us but ultimately asks us to think about how we will leave future generations of Australians a country that is prosperous, fairer, and where the bonds between us all are strengthened.”
Scott Morrison MP
Purchase The New Social Contract: Renewing the liberal vision for Australia
“This book will disrupt the mindset that has produced a rights infrastructure that is distorted, expensive, and frequently out of step with community values.”
Chris Merritt, The Australian
Purchase Nonsense on Stilts: rescuing human rights in Australia
“A timely reminder of the diversity of the Labor tradition to help us consider and counter the challenges ahead.”
Jim Chalmers MP
“This biographical study is both delight and revelation. Here was a Federation-era politician on the right side of so many issues, bold enough to advocate humane treatment of the Chinese in the Australian colonies and to urge free-trade rather than protection. As early as 1898 he saw the day when “the centre of the world struggle is being shifted west to east” and England may not be able to protect Australia. He was the one Catholic in the leadership of the non-Labor Parties; by any test as thoughtful and learned a politician as we ever had.”
Bob Carr
“ . . . the purpose of politics is not to satisfy the felt needs of any individual or generation; it is to preserve and enhance the social order in the public interest.”
“Even those who are not members of religious institutions and have no particular sympathy for them ought to fear the current war on religious faith”.
“The gift of humanity is to possess something as precious as life itself... That precious gift – dignity – is at the heart of this important book.”
Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner
Purchase Chalice of Liberty: protecting religious freedom in Australia
“Religious freedom will continue to be a controversial issue in Australia, and for this reason it is important to strive for an informed and reasonable approach to the discussion that does not collapse into mere ideology or partisanship.”
Download Neither Sword Nor Shield: religious freedom in principle and legislation (PDF, 1.3MB)
“We can uphold the Constitution and the liberal values that underpin it, and at the same time recognise Indigenous Australians within this very practical document.”
Download Anchoring our Commitment in the Constitution: finding common ground
Download Love of Country and a Fair Go
“Australians are understandably reluctant to contemplate death, but there is a need for a public conversation about issues relating to sickness, death, and dying.”
Download Speaking of suffering: towards a conversation about death and dying (PDF, 2.7MB)
“In certain circumstances, the state needs to establish there is reason to believe someone can be trusted for a specific purpose. The oath is an ancient way of establishing such trust.”
“… when confidential communications are granted legal privilege or other forms of legal protection, it is because it is in the public interest to protect such communications.”
Download Seal of confession: the public interest in confidential communications
“…palliative care should not only be available to everyone who needs it, but also available to members of society who are more disadvantaged than others.”
Download A Snapshot of Palliative Care Services in Australia
“When religious freedom is undervalued, ignored, discouraged or targeted, religious persecution sometimes follows”.
“The PM Glynn Survey is a biennial survey on Australian attitudes to hope, trust and belonging. It is aimed at investigating the underlying attitudes and concerns that shape responses to current political, social and ethical issues and their implications for Australian society.”
Download the PM Glynn Survey Series 1: About the Survey [PDF, 997KB]
Download the PM Glynn Survey Series 2: Human rights: an uncertain commitment [PDF, 824KB]
Download the PM Glynn Survey Series 3: Trading off human rights [PDF, 906KB]
“Understanding what religious freedom is and isn’t is essential if we want to have better conversations about how we disagree and how we live together.”
Download 10 principles of religious freedom: a new perspective
“A body that has the capacity to speak to the Parliament on behalf of Indigenous people should be of advantage to Parliament and, through it, the nation. But it will also, in a practical way, bind Indigenous people.”
Download Recognition in keeping with the Constitution: a worthwhile project
“In the cut and thrust of political life, it is easy to forget that the ritual of Parliament recognises these ancient traditions each day. This pamphlet contains a brief account of part of that ritual: prayers in Parliament.”
“… how ensuring Indigenous voices are heard by Australia’s legislators, establishing a process for makarrata, and adopting a declaration of recognition can help Indigenous Australians take responsibility for their destiny and bring the country together.”
Download Upholding the Big Ideas [PDF, 24KB]
Download Journey from the Heart [PDF, 124KB]
Download Hearing indigenous Voices [PDF, 251KB]
Download Makarrata [PDF, 135KB]
Download A Fuller Declaration of Australia’s Nationhood [PDF, 113KB]