Back in the eighties the now deceased acerbic-tongued Auberon Waugh (son of Evelyn) while in Australia said one of our most endearing traits was our commitment to "Letting the other bloke have his say". A commitment he didn't see in the UK. Would he say the same today, some 40 years later? Maybe not. There is a growing ugly side of Australian politics.
In the current term of government, two issues have highlighted the parlous state of our public debate.
The situation in the Middle East and the Voice. Far too many among us would rather have a slanging match than engage in civil discourse. They want a winner and they want it to be them. It's as if some people just want to be verbal victors. On lesser issues we might not be so concerned. But these two issues are unlike so many others. They go to the core of who we are as Australians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should be leading the way and calling on his team and all of us to draw upon our better selves.
The issue of the Middle East is more topical here perhaps than in some other countries because we have so many citizens and permanent residents who either migrated from there or are the children of people who did. We also have a strong Jewish community. Clearly between them there will be diametrically opposed views. As there will be among the broader population.
Because there's a war and war is horrific the views are strongly held. That's no excuse for the sort of behaviour we've seen on our streets and at our universities. We should not tolerate it. Our government should have put a stop to it. They didn't.
Here's what I think Albanese should have said
"What has happened in Israel is unforgivable. The deliberate slaughter of innocent civilians including children, the raping of women and their subsequent public degradation is untenable to humanity.
We can expect repercussions. No nation can be expected to turn the other cheek at the slaughter of innocents. Israel had a right to respond.
If you start a war, expect someone to finish it. We all know war is terrible. Civilians, women and children get killed. This war could be brought to a swift end. Israel's right to exist could be acknowledged, the targeting of Israel by Hezbollah and Hamas could cease and the hostages could be returned.
A two-state solution is just not possible unless Israel's right to exist is accepted. There will be no peace until the hostages are returned.
There will be strongly held different views on this conflict. Within Australia, within political parties, among friends and even among families. That's not a bad thing. We should revel in the freedom we have to hold and express different views free from intimidation. And we should gladly pay the price for that luxury which we all too often take for granted.
The price is we agree to let others hold and express their views. We therefore need to be clear about what we expect from each other. We expect that right to be granted by all of us, to each of us.
We are not at war with each other. This is not Gaza or Israel. It is not OK to bring the hatred and antagonism of a war somewhere else in the world to our streets. We need to remember the words in President Kennedy's inaugural speech "So let us begin anew remembering civility is not a sign of weakness". Each of us can, when the opportunity arises, demonstrate by our own words and deeds that we are committed to the free expression of views in a civilised and peaceful way. We each can play our part however small. Every small act of courtesy, civility and tolerance helps us build the society we all want to live in.
Your government also has a role to play. We will not condone the ugly face of anti-Semitism. People come from all over the world to live in a free country, where we have rights, the courts to protect us and we have the freedom to practice our different faiths free from harassment. We all value that. Your government will protect it. We will not condone violent protests on our streets. Support for terrorist organisations is against Australian law. Those laws are there to protect all of us. Your government will enforce them.
It's important as we face these challenging times that we all come together and support those in the Australian family who feel threatened by these difficult circumstances. We need to let them know that we are with them, they are a part of us and we support them. We can do that in our words and in our actions.
We can see how Jewish people feel under threat. Who among us, even 10 years ago, five years ago, thought we would find ourselves living in a country where the businesses of Jewish people would be tagged by haters? These are disgraceful acts of hatred and prejudice and must not be tolerated.
But also spare a thought for the thousands of peaceful Australians who have migrated here from the Middle East or whose parents did and who want no part of violent protests and no part of anti-Semitism. They are good Australians. They are also entitled not to be judged by the colour of their skin or by their religion.
We cannot let a war in another country come here and divide us. Your government will do all it can. I hope every Australian resolves to join us in that endeavour".
MORE AMANDA VANSTONE:
Similarly on the Voice, the flames of division being fanned for opportunistic political purposes should have been hosed off by the Prime Minister. He could have said something like this:
"Your government wanted the Voice to become a reality. However, you the people hold the ultimate power in Australia. You said no.
You said no to that model of listening. You didn't say no to reconciliation nor to helping Indigenous Australians fairly share in all the benefits Australia offers.
In fact, disagree as we may on how to move forward and to better the opportunities of First Australians, we are united in our desire and commitment to achieve that aim.
Indigenous Australians did not all vote for the Voice and non-Indigenous Australians didn't all vote against it.
It's true that many people put a lot of work into the concept and believed it would be beneficial. It's also true that others saw it as divisive and as something that might increase Indigenous bureaucracy without any guarantees of improving the opportunities for First Australians, especially those living a more traditional lifestyle in remote areas. Others looked at existing Indigenous organisations and concluded another wasn't the answer. All of that may be true but the decision has been made.
Our task now together is twofold. We must avoid at all cost a pointless exercise in finger pointing. Painting those with whom we disagree and no doubt still do as badly motivated is nothing more than shallow and self-indulgent. Nothing good comes from it.
More importantly, we must pool our collective knowledge and continue to work together to ensure that all Australians have an equal chance at sharing in the rich opportunities this nation offers."
Albanese could have - and in my view should have - made remarks along these lines on both issues. I can't understand why he didn't.
It's not hard for leaders to call on the better part of ourselves. And to find the better part of themselves.
There should be more of it. So, let us begin anew ...
- Amanda Vanstone is a former senator for South Australia, a former Howard government minister, and a former ambassador to Italy. She writes fortnightly for ACM.
