How the nanny state feeds Australia’s culture wars

Many citizens feel they aren’t getting enough in return for putting up with nagging, parental governments – so they’re pushing back.

Joel Deane

Aug 31, 2023 – 7.25am

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The stumping of Jonny Bairstow reminded me of reaction chains. Bairstow, in case you didn’t waste winter nights watching the Ashes, was the English batsman controversially stumped by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey during the second Test at Lord’s. Pandemonium ensued, with the poohbahs of the Marylebone Cricket Club berating the Australian team during the lunch break as they filed through the holiest of holies, the Long Room. The brouhaha led news bulletins around the cricketing world; even the prime ministers of Australia and the Old Enemy weighed in.