Jeff Kennett: Matildas show us all how to unite a divided nation

As Team Australia unites to cheer on the Matildas, it raises the question: imagine what we could achieve if we had a vision, with clear goals that we could work together to achieve?

Like ke so many Australians, millions in fact, I watched the Matildas last Saturday night earn their way into the semi-finals tonight against England.

Saturday night’s game had me transfixed to the television throughout. Opportunities for both teams, threats to both.

The penalty shoot out was extraordinary. In one sense it was almost going to be pot luck as to who would emerge as victors.

My appreciation of the game had me awarding player of the match to our goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. So calm, so professional, so protective of our goal on so many occasions.

That said, I have always said in all our endeavours, teams win, individuals do not.

The Matildas advancing to the semis was a huge team effort.

They were also strongly and vocally backed by Team Australia. At the ground and around the country. Importantly, also universally by Australia’s media.

It raises the question, imagine what Australia could achieve if we had a vision, with definable goals that we could all work together to achieve?

The Matildas have lit a fuse. Picture: Lachie Millard

So often sport takes us away from the things that cause so many of us stress and anxiety. More often than not our families and our employment. The Matildas have proved that again.

Sadly, there is no national goal that inspires. No agreement among our political or business leaders.

I love the energy of what the Matildas have and continue to generate, and wish it could continue.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suggested a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup.

With respect, that is a poor man’s Bob Hawke suggestion.

Former PM Hawke did not suggest a public holiday when yachtsman John Bertrand and his crew won us the America’s Cup in 1983.

Firstly, Hawke only made his enthusiastic comment after we had won the trophy.

Secondly, Hawke said only: “I’ll tell you what, any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum.”

Thirdly, authority for setting public holidays lies with state governments, not the feds, so the PM does not have the authority to award a national holiday.

Finally, while we all enjoy holidays, the one thing everyone agrees upon – employers and unions – is the need to lift Australia’s productivity.

It will be interesting to see how Football Australia responds to the Matildas’ already very successful achievements. Picture Lachie Millard

Another public holiday would mean a backward step for Australia’s economy.

If the Matildas win, it would not stop them being invited to every capital city in the week after to participate in street parades and receive the communities’ congratulations.

It will also be interesting to see how Football Australia responds to the Matildas’ already very successful achievements. Particularly for young girls and women.

Soccer is very attractive for one substantial reason; it does not inflict the same level of injuries on those women who play the game as other football codes.

It will also be interesting to see how governments respond on the allocation of public moneys to sport, and how businesses respond with sponsorships.

In short, the Matildas have lit a fuse. The ramifications might take time to develop, but could be a very real challenge to other codes.

Most other sporting team competitions are local and tribal; only a few have the capacity to play at an international level.

The welcome to country does not help those Indigenous community members in need, nor does it ‘close the gap’. Picture: Getty Images

There is no bigger international team sport than soccer. If the Matildas can advance and win the World Cup, they will be Australia’s most successful team in the biggest sporting competition in the world, and it would be our women who have achieved that honour.

But one step at a time. We will all be supporting the Matildas tonight.

Meanwhile, there have been an increasing number of comments recently about the appropriateness of the Indigenous welcome to country being delivered before all sorts of activities.

I agree such welcomes are inappropriate in most cases, abused in others, and educational in some.

Like our Constitution, which I have long argued should be for all Australians equally, so should our country.

As Australians we should all be welcome in our country, Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

The welcome to country does not help those Indigenous community members in need, nor does it “close the gap”.

As former Hawthorn Football Club coach John Kennedy once famously said to his team, “don’t think, do”.

I agree words alone do not address the issues facing those in need.

Action does.

In fact, the demand for the welcome to country, I believe, is doing more harm than good for our Indigenous community, and for the chances of the Yes case in the Voice referendum.

We need to get the balance right. We are all Australians, equally.

We are all welcome in our country, equally.

Go Matildas.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria