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Last Updated: Tuesday, 13 May 2025 13:04

Published: Tuesday, 13 May 2025 13:03

Professor Ian Harper AO today (Tuesday, May 13, 2025) neatly summarised balancing policies designed to lift economic prosperity with the broader ideals of justice, peace and human flourishing via a simple addition to the Toowoomba City motto, ‘We prosper as we grow’.

Professor Harper’s re-worked motto, ‘We prosper as we grow in love and service of one another for our community’, encapsulated his professional work as one of Australia’s pre-eminent economists coupled with his Christian faith.

“As an economist I design policies for economic prosperity. I don’t see material prosperity as an end in itself,” Professor Harper told the 400-plus people attending today’s 31st Toowoomba Mayoral Prayer Breakfast at Rumours.

“Material prosperity is an important part of life, but it is not all there is to human flourishing.”

Professor Harper said while a Christian economist could be seen as a contradiction in terms, unlike a Christian doctor or teacher, working to Christian morals and values offered a clear path to serving people.

In a similar vein, he said the overarching objective set for the Monetary Policy Board in the new Reserve Bank Act was to promote the economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people both now and into the future.

Professor Harper drew a parallel with the prophet Jeremiah’s instruction to the exiled Israelites in (Jeremiah 29:7) to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare”.

Professor Harper said getting the economic settings right was the basis for aiding a flourishing community in the broadest sense.

As a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Monetary Policy Board, Professor Harper said the Bank’s business liaison program had gathered a great deal of community feedback on the effects of interest rates. (This Board meets next week to consider whether interest rates will be changed).

“If there is too much inflation, you can’t make ends meet and if unemployment is too high, you can’t feed the family. All the Board members are focussed on the economic prosperity of Australia,” Professor Harper said.

“In the same way God called the Israelites to pray, so should we pray for the city. It is not out of desperation or that we are out of ideas. It is a sign that our future is not entirely in our own hands.”

Drawing on the broader idea of welfare expressed in the Hebrew concept of shalom, Professor Harper added: “There is hope for a better future. God has not finished with us yet; he has not forsaken us.”

The morning started with a welcome by Town Crier Kevin Howarth and featured two musical pieces performed by Elizabeth Rae, with a scripture reading by Helen Habash and a prayer from Denis Lennox.

Heart transplant recipient Nicky Schultz offered the ultimate message in faith and positive thinking with her description of her six-month hospital stay as her body, mind and spirit triumphed during her ordeal.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald thanked all sponsors and supporters at the Mayoral Prayer Breakfast for their ongoing generosity.

He said funds raised from the 2025 Mayoral Prayer Breakfast will be presented to the Red Frogs Toowoomba team in coming weeks to help run their peer education and support programs.

Pastor Andrew Hoey, who is the Senior Minister at Rangeville Community Church and Toowoomba Mayoral Prayer Breakfast committee chair, also thanked the guest performers and speakers along with all supporters for contributing to the 31st annual fundraiser.

The Toowoomba Mayoral Prayer Breakfast was started by former Toowoomba City Council Mayor Ross Miller to raise funds for drought relief. The event has raised more than $326,000 for charities across the Region.

Caption: Red Frogs Toowoomba coordinator Andre Henare (left), 2025 Toowoomba Mayoral Prayer Breakfast guest speaker Professor Ian Harper AO, Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald and Toowoomba Mayoral Prayer Breakfast committee chair, Pastor Andrew Hoey at Rumours. (top)

Below: Red Frogs Toowoomba volunteers Lachlan Oliver (left) and Jo Irwin dispensing the red frogs at the 2025 Toowoomba Mayoral Prayer Breakfast.