Now that Australia’s recovered from the election hangover, the nightmare of having a Coalition Government leading the country stares squarely right in front of me.
It’s sadly a reality.
We have chosen a leader who doesn’t support gay rights for marriage equality, despite having a sibling who is gay.
We have voted for a man who claims he isn’t sexist yet there’s no denying he believes it would “be folly to expect women to ever approach equal representation in all aspects of public life”
Our new leader doesn’t welcome asylum seekers believing they should return to live a life of peril and dangers yet his background as a 10 Pound Pom comes under a separate, privileged category of immigration.
Yup. For me, Australia’s future looks grim, morbid and hopeless.
But at this point, I’d like to thank Tony Abbott.
Thank him that his double sided, hypocritical views have fuelled a rage that’s determined to closely monitor the next 3 years with a hawk’s eye, ready to pounce on his next gaffe.
That in turn, this anger and frustration has immediately eliminated all senses of complacency. The unstable political climate needs my attention, as well as the rest of the nation’s. That it’s time for more than mere speech but action. Even campaigning.
That as a woman looking to return to work, I will fervently do everything in my power to show society you’re wrong; that a mother’s capabilities go beyond the ironing and housework.
As an immigrant, I can teach my children to be tolerant of other cultures and nationalities. That there are innocent, desperate people who are left without a choice other than to run away from the perils of their own home country; Australia does indeed have the resources and facilities to help them start a new life here.
If you – as the leader of my country – Mr Abbott want my respect, by turn I demand that you earn it.
Thank you Mr Abbott for reminding me that as a citizen of Australia and in this battle to make our country great again, I have just as much work to do as you.
Deb @ Bright and Precious says
Well said, Grace. xx
The Declutterbug versus captain Stingypants says
Nicely said Grace, nicely said.
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Zanni Louise says
You go girl. I agree. It’s a chance for us to rally ourselves, and encourage change. After the Bush and Howard era, people were so desperate for some morality that the conservatives were blown out of the water. There is hope. x
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Zita says
As a teacher, I gotta say… I’m nervous about what the next 3 years will bring…
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Kathy says
Well said Grace…I need to be pulled out of the apathy of my disillusionment. I think it is right that Australians wanted a change (of a government that was dis-unified and turned to a ‘look-at-me’ leader), but I am so uneasy about the values and morals that come with it. I am so unhappy about the lack of humanity for refugees on both sides of politics. We are a lucky country – I am so disillusioned that politics has come down to so much ‘easy’ rhetoric about ‘what’s in it for me’ and vision takes a backseat. I wish I could have more faith that good citizenship, intelligent policies and humane values could make more of a difference.
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Psych Babbler says
Well said Grace! I work in the public sector (in menal health) and we all know how supportive Abbott is of that! *sarcasm alert*. The next 3 years scare me. I want one of those stickers saying “Don’t blame me. I didn’t vote Lib”.
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Sam Stone says
I totally agree Grace, he needs to earn it. What a total debacle!
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Roni says
I agree very much with this: “The unstable political climate needs my attention, as well as the rest of the nation’s. That it’s time for more than mere speech but action. Even campaigning.”
But I disagree with your chosen specifics – gay marriage, sexism and asylum seekers.
Firstly, there’s nothing wrong in principle with a nation electing someone who shares majority views, however distasteful. That’s just democracy. If your arguments boil down to ‘the majority are wrong’ then the majority will tune out.
Secondly, you’re subscribing to the kind of reductionist arguments on these issues which actually impede the informed debate that might have prevented such an uninformed election result. For example, you’ve conflated cultural intolerance and asylum seekers, a fallacy beloved by rich white uni kids in Melbourne who think all they have to do is label all 2 million residents of Western Sydney ‘redneck’ and they win the internet. Not only is this counter-productive (a third of those ‘rednecks’ were born overseas and the region’s vast experience of settlement issues should be tapped, not ridiculed) it’s also irrelevant to the actual concerns the actual voters actually thought Abbott would handle better.
If your objections to Abbott are confined to his racist/sexist/homophobic appeal to a racist/sexist/homophobic community you merely demonstrate his appropriateness as a democratic leader. That’s fine if you’re part of a rabid lefty fringe trying to impress other rabid lefties over a soy latte, but not helpful if you’re trying to define an unease with this election result that goes deeper than your personal politics.
My unease with Abbott is tied to a sense of miscarried democracy. I haven’t quite defined this yet. I smell something dirty behind the comments of my Liberal voting friends – many were angry at ALP “lies” (could this relate to the whole AWU thing?) and “bad management” (one actually stated current unemployment was 13% – who fed him this nonsense?) – and the unquestioning acceptance it was “time for a change” despite (or in absolute ignorance of) the Liberal’s lack of costed policies, ‘Ashybygate’, Abbott’s expense scandals and the ALP’s good economic and policy performance. Any ‘action’ against it will have to start with questions:
What’s going on here?
How could it have been prevented?
What can we do about it now?
mamagrace71 says
Thanks for your sharing your views.
However, I would have to disagree with your point suggesting that the nation elected someone with majority views.
It’s a known fact that more than 60% of Australians actually support gay marriage:
https://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/who-supports-equality/a-majority-of-australians-support-marriage-equality/
As for the other specifics I have chosen, I actually don’t believe that the majority of Australians hold the same views as Abbott as there are many reports and stats to suggest otherwise.
But thanks again for voicing your opinions – especially regarding Abbott’s expense scandals. I do hope that further information comes into light eventually.
Sarah says
Maybe, just maybe, Mr Abbott will do background checks on those arriving by boat, especially after the stabbing death in Sydney recently. Very scary, but we still don’t know the full set of circumstances, but still pretty scary that the bloke was stabbed in his sleep after seeking protection in Australia
Sarah says
I shouldmention though that I didn’t vote for his party, I voted Labor (never thought I would say that 10 years ago), especially after the bullying tactics to get people to take LNP flyers, especially after I said no thank you. And the local candidate’s car was tailgatung, speeding and weaving in and out of traffic to get to the pub…
Mumabulous says
Yeh – but you might save a few bucks on your electricity bill 😉
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Leanne Winter says
Well said, Grace, I couldn’t agree more. I hope the job interview went well.
mamagrace71 says
Thank you, Leanne! All sorts of thoughts and possibilities about my career are now swirling in my head! x
Cybele @ BlahBlah says
Too true. I’m wondering when I’ll spot the first bumper sticker ‘I didn’t vote for him’
mamagrace71 says
If you see one, can you please ask the owner where they bought it? I’d like a couple of copies…
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right says
GO GRACE!
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Danya Banya says
Here, here.
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Emily @ Have a laugh on me says
Hey lovely – I can’t WAIT to hear how today went – eg job interview, I’m sure I’ll read it on IBOT.
I just hope when the Carbon Tax goes, that everyone drops the price of goods and services (yeah right!!!) Em xx
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Caroline says
Grace – the fact that so many people are prepared to vote for someone who holds such socially conservative views is such a sad reflection on Australian society. I share your frustration and sadness. It seems that the need to promote a socially diverse and inclusive community is not a priority for many members of our society. I too struggle to understand this and it makes me wonder how far women in particular have really come in advancing towards genuine equality – it seems we are back to the Howard era. I knew it was coming and brought a bottle of wine to prepare for a depressing Saturday night. I hope that much of the vote reflects a loathing of Labor infighting as much as an endorsement of Mr Abbott’s views . You are right that now we need to carefully watch how his socially conservative agenda is implemented over the next three years. This does not make you a rabid lefty,just someone interested in the pursuit of social justice, and that is always a good thing. Keep the political posts coming!
David Tucker says
Well said, indeed. You give excellent insights cocnenrning the curent situation. Thanks for expressing the concerns of thousands of people
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