Series 02: Alan Gibson Stewart papers, 1987-1989 - Page 367
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172
It was a short speech: only ten minutes out of the maximum allowed of thirty. I had tried to be concise, and also, to some extent, enigmatic. I mentioned the biological gurus Konrad Lorenz and Charles Birch, both of whom had something of value to say to politicians, knowing that they would probably be unknown to most honourable members. To further confuse those who wished to place me as either a Marxist or a conservative Catholic, I quoted the Jesuit Tielhard de Chardin:
"Socialisation is not an epi-phenomenon in the sphere of reflective life but the essential phenomenon of hominisation."
(Socialisation, to most biologists, is an empirical part of evolution, and should be distinguished from the theoretical socialism of political rhetoric.)
As a distinguished palaentologist, Teilhard had found more favour with scientists than with his superiors in the church. His words fitted my rationale for being in politics, but as I expected, they were too obscure for some to grasp.
Leon Punch, the pugnacious leader of the Country Party rose to speak next:
"I congratulate the honourable member for Manly on his maiden speech. He lost me on his last quotation, as he must have lost the Minister for