If you were to isolate your understanding of the Australian people to the statements made about us and to us by many of our politicians, you would be unlikely to form a very positive opinion.
I've been reflecting a lot recently on the ways in which the estimation of the Australian voter, as demonstrated by the decisions made by those elected and paid to represent us, fails to line up with what I see interwoven and strongly demonstrated in our society.
I have seen numerous signs displayed in places of worship and community hubs, calling for #KidsOffNauru. This month the Australian Medical Association formally and publicly called on the Prime Minister to move asylum seeker children and families off Nauru; Australia has been repeatedly condemned by the United Nations for this illegal detention. Globally, locally, informally and formally, we are calling for better. But our leaders do not appear to be listening.
As someone who works in higher education, I see how intelligent, capable, and passionate the young adult learners and mature aged students of this nation are. They think deeply, engage, rally, and are willing to speak up.
But this passion, engagement and critical thinking is not isolated to universities. Consider the number of local councils who, in response to their own communities, have moved to change the date on which they celebrate 'Australia Day'. Consider the estimated 60,000 people who marched through Melbourne this year for the Invasion Day rally. The thousands who turned up to commemorate Eurydice Dixon. The results of the same sex marriage postal survey — an example of wanton waste and weak leadership by the LNP, but a strong result from the Australian people.
Australian voters have a right to expect that the people paid to lead will listen to those they are there to represent. That they are in their roles because they are the best equipped, qualified, and able to understand the complexities of the issues of this modern world — rather than because they are wealthy and well connected.
2018 has seen the Australian climate undeniably changing. Bushfire season has begun months early, the rains of autumn and winter didn't eventuate, 100 per cent of my home state of New South Wales was declared to be in drought during winter. So where is the evidence and research-based policy and action, where is the strong leadership, responsive to the needs of this land and people? Certainly not visible