I am an Australian who lives abroad so I am no longer an insider. That is a disadvantage as a commentator on my own country. But it is also an advantage because I can note that the worst patterns of our past government, and civil, behaviours are now being exhibited and supported.
Australia is misunderstood by the world. The image of Australians abroad is of a freedom loving, risk taking, and gregarious population. But this is not true. Growing up in Australia I learnt to be fearful of change, skilled at following rules, addicted to conformity, passive aggressive, and to lack confidence.
Australia is a fine example of the axiom that in a crisis we revert to who we truly are and have always been. Australia is a turtle and so when the world comes calling [through a virus, a trade war, an opportunity to display innovative leadership, etc] what greets them is the hard outer shell as the long neck retracts inside. Australians live inside the turtle shell where I guess they feel safe and secure. But if you knock on that turtle shell and expect a warm handshake to result you should be careful because this insecure population has a history of latent hostility [see photo].
Richard.
Comments