Robert Menzies: An Exploration of the Faith and Politics of Australia's Longest Serving Prime Minister, with Dr David Furse-Roberts

Jonathan is joined by historian David Furse-Roberts for an exploration of the faith, political philosophy and political career of Australia's longest serving prime minister, Robert Menzies (over 18 years). They explore the Christian theological influences that shaped the faith of Menzies and his worldview, the way his Christian faith shaped his understanding of and approach to politics, society and civilisation, significant moments in Menzies' political career, particularly in the area of education, Menzies' liberal philosophy and the founding of The Liberal Party of Australia, and the contemporary fight over Menzies' legacy on the centre right in Australia today.

Dr David Furse-Roberts is a Research Fellow at the Menzies Research Centre and works for a member of the NSW parliament. He is the author of God & Menzies: The Faith that Shaped a Prime Minister and His Nation, The Making of a Tory Evangelical: Lord Shaftesbury and the Evolving Character of Victorian Evangelicalism and the editor of several collections of political speeches by Australian prime ministers, including Menzies, John Howard and Tony Abbot. He has a PhD in history from the University of New South Wales.

The Political Animals is hosted by Dr Jonathan Cole, an academic, writer, speaker and translator specialising in political theology: the intersection of religion and politics. Jonathan was a senior terrorism analyst at Australian intelligence agency the Office of National Assessments where he worked on Islamist terrorism and the global jihadist movement. He is the author of Christian Political Theology in an Age of Discontent: Mediating Scripture, Doctrine, and Political Reality. You can follow Jonathan and the show on Twitter and Facebook.