‘I’d change name and move to Himalayas’: Aussie policy guru’s advice for Trump’s advisers

POLICY guru David Hunt has some advice for Australia. He says it’s time we disentangle ourselves from the US and quietly move away.

Donald Trump’s first, snappy conversation with Malcolm Turnbull from the Oval Office. Picture: Alex Brandon/AP

DONALD Trump’s advisers should make a run for it, and Australia needs to quietly back away too, according to a writer, historian and satirist with decades of experience working in policy.

David Hunt, who has been a senior adviser for both the Liberal and Labor parties, said he would “change my name and move to the Himalayas” if he were one of the US President’s aides.

“Who knows what’s going on beneath that orange dome?” he told news.com.au. “There’s no point advising someone who doesn’t listen. There are a lot of very scared people in the political establishment. Connecting with him has proven to be, if not impossible, then fraught with danger.”

Donald Trump’s first, snappy conversation with Malcolm Turnbull from the Oval Office. Picture: Alex Brandon/AP

Malcolm Turnbull may want to make his relationship with the President less of a priority, says author David Hunt. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Hunt, who has recently published True Girt, his second witty romp through Australian history, believes it’s time for this country to change its relationship with the US.

“Australia has always seen itself as a surrogate of the UK and America,” he said. “Up until 1901, we were one of the colonies and after World War II, attention shifted to America.

“It’s a matter of preserving the history we have with the relationship and continuing it in a meaningful way, but recognising that we’re not central to America’s thoughts.

“We’re comfortable ally, we always turn up and support America in its military ventures, we’ve never said no. It’s important to maintain that relationship, but balance it with the way we get on with China, Malaysia, Indonesia, India. Powers that are much closer to us are rapidly becoming more urban and sophisticated.”

Hunt, who has been a senior policy adviser for both of the main parties, says Australia needs to stop sitting on the fence.

After today’s announcement by Mr Trump that the US is withdrawing from the Paris agreement on climate change, many world leaders have made it clear they agree with Hunt. Even Malcolm Turnbull had to confess the news was disappointing, although not surprising. “We would prefer the United States to remain part of the agreement,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Singapore on Friday. “We are committed to the Paris agreement.”

This could indeed be the trigger for China and other powers to affirm their importance on the world stage, as the US risks being left behind in terms of jobs and economic opportunities.

Hunt has experienced drama in the game of political loyalties. He was once hired as Joe Hockey’s speechwriter, but never took up the role, after his appointment sparked outraged headlines about the Liberal minister working with “a left-wing satirist”.

He doesn’t believe the two parties are that different when “compared on the world stage”, but he does think it’s time for Australia to pick a side.

“It’s increasingly difficult to sit on the fence,” he said. “We’re coming to the point where, if we’re not doing it now, we’re going to be forced to mark our place in the world — Asia Pacific, China, the US, our relationship with emerging powers like India.

David Hunt’s second witty romp through Australian history.

“We’re going to increasingly find ourselves between a rock and a hard place, in terms of maintaining our values while aligning with China. These are big challenges for business and politics, but if we don’t take them, we’re going to be left behind.”

Hunt, who will speak at TedxSydney next month, believes Australia’s place in the world is a constant, “bedrock” issue. There are our trade policies — whether we stick to a free-trade agreement or “skip back into a nationalistic, protectionist approach.” Then there is the energy debate, a hot topic with Mr Trump causing a global storm by pulling out of the Paris agreement on climate change.

“If we don’t embark on moving towards renewables when we have the conditions better than anywhere in the world, we’ll be left behind by China.”

Back home, Hunt says recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Constitution is one of the most important issues of the moment. “These delegates want a new body of indigenous people to advise the Government, an active Aboriginal voice in making laws,” he said.

“We’re at a significant crossroads in how they are recognised in society.”

TedxSydney 2017 takes place at the ICC in Darling Harbour on Friday 16 June. Register here.