On the Sunday prior to Australia Day 2022, the Hobart Mercury carried a story on evolution of the current Australian Pledge of Allegiance. The article written by Sue Bailey told of how Senator Michael Tate had been given the responsibility for citizenship by the then PM Bob Hawke. Michael became aware that many migrants appeared reticent to take up citizenship because of a reluctance to swear allegiance to the Queen of Australia.

Michael, with input from celebrated poet, Les Murray, was able to draft a new pledge that emphasised ‘loyalty to country’ and the optional inclusion of ‘under God’ – the pledge eventually passed though Parliament after he had left politics and was first used on Australia Day 1994.

Michael was inducted onto the St Virgil’s Heritage Roll of Honour in 2007 because of his outstanding achievements and contributions. The following is an overview of his life that is on file at the College.

Michael was born July 6 1945 in Sydney. Michael Carter Tate attended the College from 1956-62 and in his final year won the scholastic prizes for Religious Knowledge, English and Modern History; he was also an Under Officer in the cadet corp., was secretary of the Mission Group, and had a significant involvement in Debating, Public Speaking and the Junior United Nations.

After graduating from the College, Michael enrolled the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to do Law. However prior to the scheduled commencement of his tertiary studies, Michael was involved in a car accident which put him ‘on his back’ for seven months.

Despite the torment of prolonged rehabilitation – he was in and out of hospital for the remainder of his university studies, and with the financial hardship endured by his parents covering medical costs – he was able to find a positive:

“… I was very clever,” he says, “[because of the accident} my mates used to carry me up to the law library and carry me back at night - I was immersed in books and gained a first-class degree that got me to Oxford.”

Damien McIvor The Tasmanian Times, The Making of Michael Tate (1 July 2003)

Michael’s law degree was with first class honours {1967). He was awarded a scholarship which took him to Oxford University in the UK and from this famous institution he received a Bachelor of Arts at the Honours School in Theology in 1971.

On his return to Tasmania he lectured in law initially (1972-78) and went on to fill the post of Dean of the Law Faculty (1977-78). From 1973-77 Michael was Legal Advisor to the Tasmanian Parliamentary Delegation to the Australian Constitutional Conventions (1973-77). He was also a member of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (1972-78)

In 1978 he was elected as a Senator representing Tasmania in the National Parliament in Canberra. and was to serve in this capacity for a fifteen year period (1978-93) He was re-elected in 1983, 1987 and 1993.

During his time in Parliament he held the following portfolios:

Special Minister of State 1987
Minister for Justice 1987 – 90
Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs 1990 – 93

During his parliamentary career, he was also

President of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship 1985 – 88

Following his resignation from Federal politics, Michael was appointed as Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Holy Sea (1993-96). During this period he was influential in the establishment of the War Crimes Tribunal and represented Australia at the International Court of Justice.

The following transcript of a portion of a Kerry O’Brien’s 7.30 Report interview of Michael (May 19 2000) merits inclusion:

O’Brien: And when you did see the Pope at your farewell audience, how did he react when you told him you were gong to be a priest?

Tate: Well, he didn’t know. He said, “Where’s your next posting, Your Excellency?”

I said, “Well, in fact, I’m going to study for the priesthood, Your Holiness.”

He said, “You?”

I said, “Yes.”

He said, “You?”

I said, “Well, yes.”

He said, “Well, this is a late vocation.”

I said, “No, Your Holiness, it’s an early vocation, long deferred.”

Michael was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 1996 Australia Day Honours.

Michael was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in May, 2000. After a period as Parish Priest to Bridgewater & Brighton, he was appointed to the Sandy Bay Taroona parish and there in addition, to his parish duties, he is Catholic Chaplain to University of Tasmania and lectures in International Humanitarian Law as Honorary Professor of Law.

Michael served as the chaplain of the Old Virgilians Association for many years before handing over to Father Richard Ross in 2020.

Well Done Sam!

Samuel Askey-Doran (SVC 2016-2019)