Category Archives: local politics

Thoughts on Current Political Discourse

27 Tuesday Sep 2016

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Today I am distracted by the Clinton/Trump debate. It’s running in the background while I attend to some other desk chores. Political discourse tends to glaze my eyes these days – we’ve had so much that is disappointing in our own wide brown land.

A lot of people here ask what business is it of any but U.S. citizens how they select their President. After all, we get cheesed off when visiting commentators presume to advise us and we’re likely to tell them to go and “dip their eye in fig jam!”

The world has a legitimate interest in US politics, however, as the USA sets so many global trends. Australia is inextricably linked to US policy through alliances, treaties, trade agreements and other deals. We host its military bases and have, at times, been nominated as its “deputy” in this corner of the globe.

So I guess there is an understandable concern about the outcome of the coming November elections.

Both leading candidates have had their flaws mercilessly exposed and so much seems to hinge on this initial debate, let alone the two follow-up sessions. Success, according to media, seems to be predicated on who avoids the most prominent stuff-up in their presentation.

Vision and inspired leadership seem to take a back step in all reported political discourse now and many politicians seem to pander to the media’s insatiable appetite for the sensational “grab” or the “gotcha” moment.

Lament, modelled on the Psalms, leads to a declaration of hope. So where can I finish? It’s with the awareness that not only those caught up in the political maelstrom seek to provide leadership in our communities.  There are many practical visionaries that strive against the odds of the powers and principalities that would rob us of the values of  compassion, faith and love – the qualities that make no sense in the economic rationalist ideology that has gripped most of our world’s parliaments and congresses. These holy visionaries continue to speak into the less-than-inspiring political discourse. Their sleeves are rolled up and the sweat on their brow testifies that they speak from knowledge and experience.

Long may they live and may the ears of many turn their way.

 

New asylum seeker campaign ‘distasteful’ and ’embarrassing’

12 Wednesday Feb 2014

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New asylum seeker campaign ‘distasteful’ and ’embarrassing’.

Just when you think the Australian Government can do no worse in its cruel and dispiriting treatment of maritime asylum seekers, it pulls another rabbit out of the hat.

This so-called low key cartoon strip campaign does little more than throw down a challenge to those desperate to flee to safety. Rather than threaten with blockades that grumble “no way” all sides of our parliament should be seeking ways to enable a safe way for people to seek asylum in this whole region.

This will demand imagination, leadership – and, most importantly, will – for many years of political and media propaganda have manipulated the public’s mindset to fearful and selfish preoccupation.

 

 

Fireworks, eskies and reconciliation…

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in local politics, reconciliation

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A didgeridoo player in Arnhem Land, 1981.

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Our national day celebrations often generate discussion within our small congregation. Yesterday’s take on Jonah the Bogan was one attempt to address the tensions between celebrating national pride and accountability to something wider, bigger and deeper. One of our Elders, Steve Mellor, has granted permission to reprint his article from this week’s church newsletter:

On 26th January Australians will gather in capital cities and other regional centres around the country to celebrate Australia Day.  The day will be marked with official ceremonies, parties and elaborate fireworks displays.  The day will be a special occasion for many new Australians who will truly call Australia home by accepting the responsibilities that come with Australian Citizenship.  So let’s reflect on what this day actually means.

To call January 26th Australia Day is somewhat of a misnomer.  Ray Durbridge reminded us a few weeks ago that our real national day passes by largely unnoticed.  1st January 1901 is really when Australia came into being.  Whilst many Australians party and celebrate the establishment of a British penal colony on the shores of Sydney Harbour on 26th  January 1788, a substantial number of Australians remember the day with some sadness and find it offensive that such celebrations take place.  It was on that day that the great southern land was taken away from a people who had lived here continuously for around 100,000 years.  For them, the 26th January 1788 marks the day of invasion.

There is a real sense in which we, as Australians, should be proud of our heritage and of the nation we have become – a nation which acknowledges the rights and privileges of all its citizens and one which, I feel , leads the world in expressing and respecting the rights and dignity of all people.  We are a nation which honours and respects both the importance of the individual and the value of community, though I have been somewhat dismayed at recent debate concerning the coming of persecuted people to our shores, particularly those of non-Christian background.  Many risk their lives to come here and that says a great deal about who we are as a nation.  Our reputation is largely built on the perceived good life available to most.  Sadly though, the original indigenous inhabitants of this land have not enjoyed the same fruits of prosperity.

Historically, whilst the states came together in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation to form the nation of Australia, prior to Federation systematic occupation of an already occupied land saw much loss of indigenous life, culture and heritage, as well as the expanding colonies’ environmental impact.  Events subsequent to Federation saw attempts to completely eradicate the ‘blacks’ through removal of children from their parents and the further taking of previously occupied land.  The original inhabitants were considered to be non-people, only being given the rights of citizenship in 1967.  44 years later indigenous people still struggle for recognition, respect and opportunity to truly enjoy life as part of ‘one Australia’.  So, for me, this is not a cause for celebration, but rather it should be the catalyst for further listening and reflection.  Pride in the steps we have taken in recent times, particularly in the area of reconciliation, should be tempered with a liberal dose of humility, acknowledging the mistakes that have been made and recognising the difficulty of the road ahead but also recognising that the diverse indigenous culture is as rich a part of the common wealth of this nation as any resource.  If we choose to listen, there is much we can learn.

Respect for the indigenous people of this country has led me to not celebrate Australia Day and I would be happy to see it removed from the nation’s calendar.  However, I am proud to be a member of a church having an on-going commitment to reconciliation and am encouraged by our desire to show respect for the First Australians through the implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan.  Approaching another Australia Day, let’s reflect on the great cost of our nationhood to our indigenous brothers and sisters.  While honouring and celebrating our Australianness, let’s also acknowledge and reflect on the history that accompanies that and how we might participate in positive acts of reconciliation.

Steve

High Court Chaplaincy Challenge Diversions

01 Thursday Sep 2011

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While on the matters of things High Court, it is interesting to see how the current challenge to the federal funding for the National School Chaplaincy Program is playing out: States play cat and mouse in High Court chaplaincy challenge – ABC Religion & Ethics (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

Community debate surrounding the challenge has wandered down many byways.
Who would have thought that the focus would similarly shift in the High Court?
One could read the initial challenge of the Executive funding initiative without parliamentary legislature as merely a vehicle to challenge a view that chaplaincy is “establishing a religion” and therefore not constitutional. Enter the six states as plaintiffs, and they have made the vehicle the cause. Their arguments have nothing to do with chaplaincy, but with the power of the Commonwealth to wield influence over precious state rights through funding.

What a can of worms! I guess such is what keeps the legal fraternity out of mischief.

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Religion and republicanism in Australian politics – Eureka Street

26 Friday Aug 2011

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Australian Coat of Arms (adopted 1912)
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It’s blog-lite today as this weekend’s heavy schedule descends. Eureka Street often comes in to fill a gap at such times as it often is the medium that reflects most closely my own position (with some exceptions). I would probably want to spend some time, should it be available, reflecting on how religion and politics have danced around each other in this week’s parliamentary debates. Instead I offer this video interview with John Warhust, ANU Emeritus Professor of Political Science – Religion and republicanism in Australian politics – Eureka Street. Maybe his observations find some reflection on how MPs have answered some questions in this week’s parliament.

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Nothing personal!

16 Tuesday Aug 2011

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Australian Coat of Arms (adopted 1912)

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The High Court of Australia has several interesting cases before it right now.
I’ve already pinpointed the challenge to the federally funded School Chaplaincy Program.

Rocking the boat is a very succinct article on the current injunction to halt the Malaysia refugee swap scheme on the basis that the Australian government does not have the power to enact it.

Our legal system often gets sledged because it tends to operate in a rarified atmosphere – indeed justice is never so blind as when it fails to deliver the verdict we think is right. However both these cases show how, in the High Court at least, this “second tier of government” protects us from the emotions of the zeitgeist and political opportunism.

The outcomes of both these cases will leave some parties unhappy. At least it won’t be personal!

Jumping to conclusions and landing on our faces…

10 Wednesday Aug 2011

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jumping

Image by matthewvenn via Flickr

We are quick to name the culprits if there’s a possibility of reinforcing our prejudices.
Two instances are apparent today:

  • the London riots – in this far flung outpost of the old empire we hear alarmed predictions of “how the same will happen here if we don’t stop the boats” and “just as Enoch Powell predicted.” Yet nothing I have seen or heard attributes the riots to ethnic unrest. On the contrary, I hear interviews where disaffected young people name a range of issues that affect their sense of empowerment. It has reached powder keg stage and it doesn’t take much to cause an explosion. History is replete with this sort of scenario. Kudos, by the way, to the thousands of “riot wombles” – volunteers who have appeared with broom in hand to clean up the streets and reclaim their neighbourhoods. There is always a better way than revenge and confrontation. And I must say, how wonderfully British!
  • a local primary school, as a result of a survey showing  24% parental opposition, has ceased the practice of reciting the Lord’s Prayer at assemblies while it seeks further advice. Public response has been, again, to vilify foreign interlopers who “threaten our culture and way of life.” Most opposition to Christian based religious exercises, in my encounters, comes from those representing a “no faith” stance than an “other faith” position. And, whatever the reason for their disquiet, their voice needs to be heard and addressed reasonably, not hysterically.

Either side in a polarised community can fall into the trap of creating straw men to set on fire, thus diverting attention from the central issues that require further talking and listening with the purpose of finding common ground. 

Of course, I could be jumping to a conclusion that common ground is common desire, couldn’t I?


Clarifying the School Chaplaincy case before the High Court

02 Tuesday Aug 2011

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The important debate re school chaplaincy (and Special Religious Education) in Australian schools is being waged on many fronts. Confusing the issues are political expediency and opportunism, unclear definitions, and a range of alleged apparent motivations across the religious sector. State specific situations, such as the “Ethics alternative” showdown in NSW and the administrative issues that pertain to Victoria’s arrangements add further confusion. An updated perspective on all this can be seen here.

However, it is important to know what can and cannot be achieved by the current High Court challenge relating to the National School Chaplaincy Program, a bilaterally supported Government funding initiative. And it is in one of the comments on the article by one Chrys Stevenson that clarification is to be found:

It is important that the public knows what will, and will not, be canvassed in Williams’ High Court Challenge. It is not about separation of church and state, it is not about funding for church schools, and it is not about the merits (or otherwise) of placing religious chaplains in secular state schools.

At issue is:

a) Whether expenditure on the National School Chaplaincy Program was ever properly approved by parliament.
b) Whether the contract between Scripture Union Queensland and the Commonwealth is valid.
c) Whether chaplaincy can be defined as a ‘benefit to students’ in the context of S.51 of the constitution.
d) Whether the NSCP guidelines impose a religious test for the employment of chaplains.
e) Whether chaplains can be defined as ‘officers under the Commonwealth’ in the context of S.116.

Which ever way this case is resolved, the community is going to have to come to terms somehow with a continuing interface between school and faith communities – government funded or otherwise. Is there enough maturity on either side to resolve the challenges that the debate has raised?

Australia’s Imams on Osama, tolerance and Sharia law | Herald Sun

12 Tuesday Jul 2011

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The recent niqab controversy has given rise to more, mostly media orchestrated, controversy over the role of Islam in western society.

At least one newspaper has had the civility to canvas a range of Islamic leadership voices on current issues often commented on “in the third person” : Australia’s Imams on Osama, tolerance and Sharia law | Herald Sun. Read well to be fully informed.

Doesn’t take long for some other newspapers, as pointed out by a colleague this morning, to create hysterical headlines from the same comments. Show me in the article above where “Muslims are demanding their own laws”!!!

Everyone should have a cup of tea, a Bex, and a good lie-down.

The same colleague asks where are the church leaders questioning the media’s role in fanning such mischief. Well here’s one.