Andrew Forrest: Underneath the larrikinism is a hard edge of efficiency in Australia

There is a growing pride in Australia’s ability to do anything it turns its mind to, and rightly so, writes Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest.

I grew up with a very deep belief in our country.

My great uncle was lost to the Boer War, my great uncle was lost to Gallipoli, and my uncle was lost serving in Papua New Guinea. These tragedies had a big impact on multiple generations of my family, and on me. We grew up wishing Uncle David would walk out of the jungles one day, that he had been shot down but somehow survived.

This belief in Australia is why I created Fortescue 21 years ago, and why I’ve invested in great Australian companies like Squadron Energy, R.M. Williams, Harvest Road and Akubra. I take great pride in employing 25,000 Australians – who exemplify my fervent belief in Australia and its capacity to embrace hard work and develop new industries, technologies and solutions.

In a crisis, you want an Australian there because the larrikinism and indifference will be replaced with high efficiency and reliability of character. Picture: Rohan Kelly

I am reminded of this every time I visit a Fortescue mine site in Pilbara, the Akubra factory in Kempsey or the R.M. facilities in Adelaide – our incredible capacity to work hard, our unwavering enthusiasm to do better and dedication to exceptionalism. Nothing compares to a pair of handcrafted R.M. Williams boots made in Australia.

Around the world we can come across as casual, almost cavalier, with that larrikin indifference for authority. But underneath there is a hard edge of efficiency in Australia.

We should embrace the fact that we are loved and trusted by the rest of the world.

In any form of crisis, what you want around you is an Australian, because the larrikinism and the indifference will be gone and you’ll be met with high efficiency and reliability of character. That’s what is unique about Australians.

I travel extensively for work, and the people I meet agree that the most peaceful country, and the safest, with the highest standard of living, is Australia.

We should embrace the fact that we are loved and trusted by the rest of the world. Instead of being defensive, we should be on the front foot with our diplomacy. We can be that bridge between North America and China; we can be that country with a European heritage that is centred in Asia, but with our own deeply Australian culture.

Australians have that awareness of the things we’re getting wrong – but we’re getting so much right. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

There’s no lack of critical analysis of Australia by Australians – that awareness of the things we’re getting wrong. But we’re getting so much right. We are still that peaceful, safe nation, born from hard work and the belief in the fair go.

We should look to great achievement, and to expect it. There is a growing pride in

Australia’s ability to do anything it turns its mind to, and rightly so. The truth is obvious. I ask all Australians to believe in us as much as I do.

Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest is the non-executive chair of Fortescue Metals Group.