PM’s response to Alice violence more important than a few beers at tennis

Whether it’s ScoMo in Hawaii or Albo at the Australian Open, finger-pointing is a dangerous game, writes Joe Hildebrand.

The problem with outrage is it always comes full circle and kicks you in the arse. It’s only ever a matter of time.

Thus all the lefties who got hysterical because Scott Morrison took a holiday during the bushfires three years ago are now getting their comeuppance with Anthony Albanese being attacked for going to the Australian Open while Alice Springs is in crisis.

It’s a salutary lesson that finger-pointing is a dangerous game.

Only one human being was ever perfect and they nailed him to a tree.

Actually, make that two. Because unlike almost everyone else on the left, I never got outraged about ScoMo going to Hawaii and so I am uniquely placed to reveal that Albo going to the tennis is not a big deal either.

Sure, images of him drinking a beer and eating an ice cream spliced with the violence in Alice is not a good look but that’s all it is: A look.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enjoys a beverage while attending the Australian Open. picture; Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

All that matters is whether the Prime Minister’s response to the crisis is actually working.

If it does, he can put on a spandex mankini and down jello shots and I’d still hand him a medal.

The truth is that almost all of a Prime Minister’s job is crisis management because there is always a crisis somewhere.

What separates the good ones is whether they are trying to fix crises of their own making or others’.

And so if we were going to forbid PMs from having any downtime or – worse – any beers during a crisis, they would never be allowed to have any ever.

What’s next? Do we make them wear hairshirts and self-flagellate?

If we already complain about the standard of people we attract as politicians, just wait until we put that little key performance indicator in the contract.

What’s truly outrageous is what is happening in Alice Springs and other Indigenous communities, and it deserves more serious attention than a cheap shot about expensive seats.

Originally published as PM’s response to Alice violence more important than a few beers at tennis