Jeff Kennett: Even in times of division, Australia is still the Lucky Country
Political correctness has put us at risk of destroying so much of the Australian traits of character. And while we must eliminate discrimination in all forms, it can’t be to the point we change our identity, writes Jeff Kennett.
Opinion
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Last Sunday morning as I walked my dog Gigi around Gardiners Creek in Box Hill, I listened to Ian “Macca” McNamara on the ABC. In his broadcast, he spoke about Dorothea Mackellar’s poem My Country which she wrote in 1908 as a 19-year-old.
As always, I was moved by the poem, and listening to it while on my walk heightened the beauty of the park I was in, the rising sun as it played on the many beautiful trees, and the mist drifting above the creek and surrounding bushlands.
I was joined on my walk by runners and other walkers, some with dogs, others not. We are a cross-section of people, representing many countries of birth, colour and age.
I found myself reflecting on the discord that exists among many today, no doubt motivated by a desire for better and fairer opportunities for others. And reflecting on the recent rallies and at times the participants’ lack of respect for authority, which at its core is there to protect us.
I listened to the radio as I walked and heard about vandalism on statues, in particular those of Captain Cook. Even suggestions that his cottage in Fitzroy Gardens be removed.
It was dispiriting given the joy I was experiencing on my walk.
We are hopefully starting to come out of a worldwide pandemic better than almost every other country. As governments start to wind back the financial incentives provided to keep our economy going, some are now opposing the return to pre-COVID arrangements before the introduction of what were always intended to be short-term subsidies.
We cannot afford to be a country that uses taxpayer funds to meet the costs of every social and business service. It’s not realistic.
In Mackellar’s poem, she starts the fourth and fifth verse with the words “Core of my heart, my country.”
As I walked in an unspoilt environment, with Gigi running free, and saying hello to people I only know from the walk, I was reminded how lucky I am. To wake up every morning, and in such a wonderful country.
But it concerns me that so many take what we have for granted.
Have we lived in wonderful conditions for so long that we do not, as Mackellar concluded as a 19-year-old, that her country was already the core of her heart?
At just 19 she put into words a passion so few express today.
It seems in this period of increasing political correctness that we are at risk of destroying so much of the Australian traits of character, of mateship, of ockerism.
Yes, we must eliminate discrimination in all forms, but to the point that we change our identity? To the point that public property is vandalised to express dissent?
So much of what is happening now is being driven by the far left. Not that we have not had those to the left side of politics voice their position in the past, we’ve had active communism here in Australia, but there has been greater balance and discussion.
Often now if you express a view that others dislike you are shouted down, branded a racist or out-of-date. The criticisms are wielded to shame and silence. This does not promote healthy debate and thought. It creates an environment of hysteria and fear where people are afraid to explore ideas for fear of reputational damage.
Our Australian democracy at its core is strong, but it must be defended. You cannot deny our history. You can educate our young about it, but to understand Australia’s core you must understand where we have come from, how we got here, as we build for the future.
I do not like that people vandalise property to express their political views. I do not like the rapid put-down, even demonising people who hold different views.
Instead, debate the issue wholeheartedly. It is wholesome and correct to do so.
I also see the debasement of the political system in Victoria again this week. The same occurred a few years ago with the “Red Shirts” affair and now there are allegations of branch stacking.
I am also reminded of The Seekers song I Am Australian.
“We are one, but we are many, I am, you are, we are Australian”.
But we are not one when one part of Australia, Victoria, signs up to another country’s strategic expansionist political policy — China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
In signing up to such an agreement we have broken the strength of Australia being one.
To embrace a union catchcry, “solidarity forever.” When you break the solidarity of Australia in its representation internationally, you weaken the nation in part.
We seem to forget over time, as Mackellar says of her country, “she pays us back threefold.”
We should do everything in our power not to abuse the privilege it is to be Australian.
It is often in times of absolute crisis that we unite to produce our very best as a community. We saw it earlier this year when confronted by bushfires in many parts of our country. And to a large degree we have seen it in how we have responded to the coronavirus.
We do not want it to take a crisis to make us understand our history, to bind us together, to build our and the country’s future.
We want to be educated, to understand, to celebrate.
There will always be differences of opinion — that is healthy — and in politics there will always be policy that should be debated and decided in the election.
Ask yourself today, would you prefer living in the United Kingdom or the United States? They are our closest allies, but they hold no attraction for me as my home. Let alone any other country!
Macca said in his broadcast that he believed every child should be taught Mackellar’s poem from an early age. I agree. What other writing so simply and passionately articulates the wonderment that is Australia? The trials and tribulation the country faces, but still “pays back threefold?”
“Core of my heart, my country.”
How lucky are we. I hope every reader reflects on our good fortune on their next walk through the streets, parks and land of this Lucky Country.
Have a great day.
Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria
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