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Jason Gagliardi

‘We like boring and competent, particularly in a crisis’

Jason Gagliardi
Can’t touch this: Please ScoMo, don’t hurt ‘em. Picture: NCA NewsWire
Can’t touch this: Please ScoMo, don’t hurt ‘em. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Graham Richardson reckoned Scott Morrison’s “way of communicating earnestness and honesty in the delivery of every syllable” had made him invincible as a crisis leader. Simon was simpatico.

“We like boring and competent — particularly in a crisis. Grandstanding arrogance and incompetence is what Victoria has currently: there’s a comparison to consider if the collective memory will stretch that far back come the next election.”

Likes from Lynne H:

“ScoMo is kinder than Keating and he has higher morals than Hawke. And, like a good wine, he is improving with age.”

Anastasia agreed:

“I don’t need character or charisma in my leader. I need honesty, fairness and common sense without political backstabbing and jousting. Morrison delivers this. He gives me confidence to believe that despite our current woes, we have true leadership in this country.”

John’s view:

“The basic problem for Labor is that they are beholden to the Greens to win government (both Federally and State/Territory), the drift towards China and away from the USA is also a national security concern and the Labor Party has drifted so far to the left with ‘woke’ priorities that they can’t cut through to main stream Australia.

“Australians want secure borders, a thriving economy that provides jobs and low unemployment as well as cheap, reliable baseload electricity for all businesses and households, building more dams, pipelines and pump stations to provide water to our regional and rural areas to increase our agricultural output and export revenue, a big industrial manufacturing industry across all sectors of the economy to provide highly skilled secure jobs and a competent safe set of hands managing the economy, budget and debt and competent leadership to keep the coronavirus pandemic in check while keeping the economy open.”

Permanent wave: Any politician without charisma is a bum. Picture: Errol Anderson
Permanent wave: Any politician without charisma is a bum. Picture: Errol Anderson

David declared:

“Charm, charisma — call it what you like, is used by sales people to convince the unwary to buy. Politics has descended into a marketing exercise. Politicians have to be ‘likeable’ rather than have ‘great ideas and policies’.

“Huge amounts of money are poured into the marketing machine because it is so effective in controlling how people think and vote. As an example, even this newspaper fell for the marketing hype for the ‘new and nice’ Kevin 07 Rudd/Swan duo rather than the ‘tired and boring’ Howard and Costello. We were told we had to have change. The aftermath is now history.

“The ultimate marketing is along the lines — Let’s make a pop singer a Minister, he is popular, people like him. It is easy votes from the young. What possibly can go wrong? The sad irony here was that it was the young who lost out.

“Marketing can also be used in politics to destroy a reputation. Indeed negative marketing is easier, cheaper and more effective than selling the positive.

“Take Barnaby Joyce. Like for half of Australians, his marriage failed. He found a new partner and started a new family. He is now happy again. No big deal. This is a story that is so common, it is almost normal. He met his new partner through work. As many of us do. Yet the political marketing machine created the notion that he was some sort of amoral person incapable of continuing as a politician. People were told what to think and they did. Fall for the charm of marketing at your peril.”

Chris countered:

“Sorry pal, but you are dead wrong. Real salespeople know that if they help someone solve a problem, they will probably get a sale, and thus a reward for their help. If they can’t help solve a problem, they don’t sell. You make it sound like anyone in sales is a conniving fake.”

Noddy needled:

“Could you please whip up a similar analysis of Albo’s performance so far. All the strong attributes that he’s displayed. Chalmers has managed to get his head on TV a bit over the last week. It’s hard to imagine how anyone could be more underwhelming.”

Linda looked back:

“Just a reminder that it was the articulate and silver tongued promises of hope and change from Obama, exposed as overblown and empty, which contributed hugely to continuing desperation, resulting in votes for Trump. The political elites can talk nicely and play the game but that has not so far translated into meaningful difference for the lives of many left behind by fashionable notions like climate change. It is a sad indictment of US politics that no-one is actually quite sure exactly what Biden is offering instead.”

Gregory reckoned:

“Morrison is not a character with the charisma of a Bob Hawke or a Paul Keating. He has however turned being polite and decent into his own form of charisma. Given the petulant years following Howard ie RGR and Turnbull, polite and decent is exactly what this Quiet Australian is very happy with.”

Paule’s position:

“ ‘Punters, no matter where they live, will always smell a fake a mile off’. 100pc spot on Richo. That is why Shorten lost the unlosable election. That is why the flu is more popular that Albanese. That is why Labor has spent 55 of the past 75 years in opposition. It is such a terrible smell and it has permeated Labor to its bone.”

Gerald reasoned:

“Bob Hawke had likeable authenticity. Matched with that he was a centre right Labor leader and brought about the reforms that seated the glorious Howard years. I am a card-carrying member of the Liberal Party and belong to the so called NSW right, however I am not so blind as to not acknowledge the facts of history. Hawke, for his personal failings (and most of us have those), was a very likeable and relatable person and did some great things as a prime minister.

“It is this tribal bloody mindedness of left vs right that is causing our government to fail to function today. Trump vs Hilary. Abbott vs Rudd/Gillard. I personally had great respect for Abbott as a person but didn’t rate him as a leader or politician. However toxic polar opposites that present the public with impossible options have thrusted the world into toxic and angry dialogue like black lives matter.

“Strong reasonable centred politics — which people like Hawke, Keating, Howard, Mike Baird, Berejiklian all represent are good for stability and national unity. Governing from the right or left represents only one part of the electorate and will only lead to rage.”

Mick mused:

“The constant nit-picking by Chalmers wins no friends with either party. Shorten is saying a lot, however who is going to listen to him? Then we have the muttering mouthful of marbles Bowen who thinks he knows best, yet has failed in every portfolio he has held. What’s left … poor each way Albo, stands out in the cold knocking the government for not doing enough.”

: T: said:

“I suspect that this is about the best we’re going to get from Chalmers. Nitpicking at every opportunity is never a clever strategy, but it’s an absurd tactic against a popular, earnest prime minister and treasurer who are seen as doing a great job in the difficult circumstances thrust upon them.”

Katherine added:

“Morrison has shown he is above petty politics over this virus and that is exactly what the country wants at the moment. Labor thrive on being petty. Albo also needs to recognise that Labor is constantly harping on about matters that middle Australia either doesn’t care about or doesn’t have the time to pay attention to. Climate Change being pre-eminent among them. But all the virtue signally so beloved by the Left is just not of interest to those trying to raise a family and make ends meet. These were the people Labor used to appeal to. Bob Hawke knew that. Unfortunately Albo has lost these people and the last election results showed Labor’s mountain they have to climb. I just don’t think they want to. I think Labor is demanding we come down to them. It is not likely.”

Mature: Dr Stephen Hagan has won his battle to have Coon cheese renamed. Picture: Lenn Campbell
Mature: Dr Stephen Hagan has won his battle to have Coon cheese renamed. Picture: Lenn Campbell

The “Coon” cheese brand is to be dumped by its Canadian owners after a complaint by an aboriginal activist that it is racist. Andrew wasn’t a fan:

“Coon is a person’s name. Changing the name of that person’s product doesn’t change the fact the man was still called ‘Coon’. Should a family change its name because that family name has evolved to become a word that means something different in modern times? No I don’t think that is either rational or sensible.

“The English language has changed dramatically over hundreds of years and in all that time new words and word associations have been created. Who is to predict what will happen to my family name for example … Sullivan. Perhaps in the future that may become a word that means something derogatory. Although I might not like it, it is the fault of no-one.

“Forcing a family to disown their heritage because of their name is just stupid and the activist that pushed for this change is overly sensitive. He is abusing the momentum of a cause that could actually be doing some good in this world. A world in which REAL racism causes so much harm. Focus on the those more serious and life-affecting issues, not the poor Coon family.”

Robert roused:

“Was a super fan of Coon Cheese. Now I will seek out all other products of the manufacturer and not buy and will buy alternate.”

Matt mentioned:

“Do people not understand that being offended because their cheese is no longer called ‘coon’ is just as bad as being offended because it is called ‘coon’? What’s next? I wonder if you all would be up in arms if they changed the name of Golden Gaytime to Golden Happytime? I

Murray mooted:

“Now that we have started down this road, I believe the towns of Coonamble and Coonabarabran need to instigate plans for a name change.”

TG growled:

“I’m boycotting Saputo products — that includes Devondale, Cracker Barrel and renamed Coon Cheese. This is what happens when we sell off Australian products and brand names to international groups that then apply their social values and views.

“I grew up with Coon cheese as did most Australians — and in Australia there was no connotation with this cheese and black American slavery (which I understand is where ‘coon’ was applied as a derogatory term) — let alone Aboriginal Australians.”

Novocastrian noted:

“ ‘This Ferrell statement says it all: I hope conservative Australia accepts the decision and not allow their recalcitrant stance to the contrary define them as bigots holding fervently on to a relic of a racist past.’ ”

KJM was confused:

“I buy Coon cheese. Not once have I picked up the packet of cheese and thought this name reminds me of a black person. But let’s get on the bandwagon. What other things or products should be banned because someone maybe offended? Here are just a few:

“Crackers and nuts — could offend those with mental issues

White chocolate — Dark chocolate is not called black chocolate is it

Fairy Bread — Well lets not go there

Ginger Biscuits — Offends gingers

White Knight sweet — surely there were other knights of colour

Coke – seeing the soft drink on the shelf makes drug addicts think of a hit

I am sure there are many more.”

Alex asserted:

“Why doesn’t anyone seek to understand history or objective facts rather than draw a conclusion that suits a narrative of outrage? This might appear to be a trivial example about a brand name (called after the inventor who happens to be named Coon) but the same pattern is repeating over and over again. Yet again weak corporates back away so as not to cause offence rather than stand for common sense and values (let alone the brand they have invested in).

“These activists are unable to hold a thought beyond a good-guy-bad-guy binary equation. We really need to move public discourse to accept some understanding and complexity in outcomes and motivations. Life is complex and uncertain in the real world people.”

Run, Rabbit: Joseph Suaalii says ‘show me the money’.
Run, Rabbit: Joseph Suaalii says ‘show me the money’.

Alan Jones put the case for why Rugby Australia shouldn’t break the bank for precocious teenage talent Joseph Suaalii. Andrew answered:

“Alan Jones is again on the money much as I hate to admit it. RA is living on the basis that they will have an unlimited flow of money through TV rights and other unidentified sources, whereas it was in intensive care a few months ago.

“They have rightly cut costs by reducing salaries to players and cut the bloated administration, but the apparent lack of financial discipline seems to be back. The reality is a very limited income, a falling interest in the code and strong attractions to the other football codes against which it can’t seem to compete.

“The Titanic comes to mind, except this lot seem to have sold the lifeboats. They need to address the grassroots competition and growing more players.”

Christopher was concerned:

“Did anyone consider whether a 16 year old can bear the pressure that comes with having that much money suddenly accessible to him?”

Nathan wondered:

“Has RA paid Izzy his full $3 million yet?”

Pessimism from Paul:

“League has won. It’s done. There’s so much money in league and so little public interest in union that union will only ever attract talent unable to make it in league.”

Robert reckoned:

“This ridiculous sum of money is too much too late. RA could have kept Kalyn Ponga for half that amount when he left Churchie and signed with the Cowboys. They certainly could not afford him now. They need to grow the game with the constant supply of good talent coming out of the Schoolboy comps in Brisbane and Sydney rather than to blow the bank on one signing.”

David explained:

“People going on about this young guy being 16 clearly know little about the game. Players of Pacific origin clearly and provably develop earlier than other rugby nations. Jonah Lomu was at his best at 19 so was Bryan Williams, a great All Black winger of long ago and so have been numerous others.

“Folau was actually another. By the time he was 29 he wouldn’t have made any other major test team outside Australia because of lacklustre defence and poor kicking ability. It’s amazing how experienced observers like Jones can bleat one minute about lack of players the public want to see holding back union and then bleat again when RA tries to recruit some.”

Last word to Lesley:

“Lots of promising young schoolboy League and Union stars haven’t lived up to their hype so it’s a numbers game. This young man would be wise to grab the highest offer available and hopefully those close to him will ensure that he invests wisely. A busted shoulder or a bad hamstring problem could curtail his career and hence his future contracts could evaporate or be scaled down considerably. I long ago lost track of the numerous promising young players who faded out after relatively short playing careers.”

Each Friday the cream of your views on the news rises and we honour the voices that made the debate great. To boost your chances of being featured, please be pertinent, pithy and preferably make a point. Solid arguments, original ideas, sparkling prose, rapier wit and rhetorical flourishes may count in your favour. Civility is essential. Comments may be edited for length.

Read related topics:Scott Morrison
Jason Gagliardi

Jason Gagliardi is the engagement editor and a columnist at The Australian, who got his start at The Courier-Mail in Brisbane. He was based for 25 years in Hong Kong and Bangkok. His work has been featured in publications including Time, the Sunday Telegraph Magazine (UK), Colors, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, Harpers Bazaar and Roads & Kingdoms, and his travel writing won Best Asean Travel Article twice at the ASEANTA Awards.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/we-like-boring-and-competent-particularly-in-a-crisis/news-story/3dc2c7950766e8237fbfe5baaf9cbb6b