07/08/2005
Little Johnnie, Big Trouble
The US doesn’t have a monopoly on frightening ultra-conservative leadership. In Australia, there’s Prime Minister John Howard . A shrewd and seasoned political veteran who spent decades in opposition before a surprise political comeback in the mid ‘90s, Howard resembles Dick Cheney in both appearance and intelligence. Australian government has no term limits, so Howard’s been in power since 1996 and just began his forth term in office [ouch]. Here’s some highlights…
Care For Kids - In order to win his third term, Howard lied about the infamous “children overboard” scandal. His government has also broken with the United Nations Human Rights charter by detaining children of asylum seekers (refugees) indefinitely in detention centers.
No Love for the Gays - Although all states in Australia now have comprehensive anti discrimination laws and equal rights for gays and lesbians, on a federal level, the picture is much bleaker. Howard recently legislated to permanently ban gay marriage, and the law was passed unopposed by both sides of parliament.
Marie Antoinette moment - In 2003, Sydney staged arguably the largest demonstration in Australian history. Over a million Australians flooded Sydney’s streets (this is just one city in a country with a population of under 20 million) to peacefully protest Howard’s decision to join with US forces in Iraq. That night, when asked about the extraordinary event, Prime Minister Howard smirked dismissively and said, “Frankly I don’t think the mob has really made up their mind.”
Sound eerily familiar? The Australian political scene has become in so many ways a microcosm of America's. Late in the 20th century, a central-left leader is replaced by an arch-conservative who fundamentally alters the moral compass of a nation and uses any methods necessary to remain in power. Unfortunately for those seeking change, the Australian economy remains in great shape and the opposition Labor party is crippled by totally ineffectual leadership.
Posted 4:20 PM EST by lewispayton in Current Affairs, Gay Marriage | Permalink
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Your comparisons between the two governments was enlightening. We Americans are so consumed by our own problems that we often don't put our problems into perspective. In other words, the grasss may not always be greener on the other side (of the Pacific)!
Posted by: David | Jul 8, 2005 5:21:06 PM
You take great photographs man, but your political commentary reminds me of Michael Moore at his worst. Poor, poor far-leftists. Oy.
Posted by: Mark | Jul 8, 2005 5:42:52 PM
I just got back from Australia and it was like being in "little America". I loved it. A lot of people think
John Howard is the reason why Australia is one of our biggest and best friends and I think we should appreciate that.
Posted by: richard the yankee | Jul 8, 2005 6:08:51 PM
I just got back from Australia and it was like being in "little America". I loved it.
John Howard is the reason why Australia is one of our biggest and best friends and I think we should appreciate that.
Posted by: richard the yankee | Jul 8, 2005 6:09:26 PM
"Little America" - that is so sweet Richard.
Perhaps that is the problem with America?
Those nations whose policies threaten the US ideologies are quickly branded 'enemies'... and those who reinforce the American way get the paternalistic nod; willing and passive victims of cultural imperialism.
Posted by: Azzi | Jul 8, 2005 6:17:33 PM
I'm not going to get into a back and forth slanging match, but I don't think my commentary this week reflects anything other than a criticism of two nations currently led by ethically corrupt administrations. I do not consider myself left wing or right wing, I merely hold a belief that our leaders should be humane, compassionate and accepting of difference. Both John Howard and George Bush have consistently demonstrated their lack of those three fundamental values. In the case of my homeland, Australia, I made three points of fact, not attack, that reflect this. Labeling someone a liberal seems far too easy a punctuation point these days. Give me a politician with compassion, integrity AND sound economic values and they've got my vote, no matter what their political affiliation.
Posted by: Lewis Payton | Jul 8, 2005 6:45:51 PM
Well I think it was a good article, Lewis. Not that you need my stamp of approval...
Quite persuasive and at least it provoked me to check some things out.
At the moment, I'm more concerned for Britian and the horrible attack in London.
Posted by: Rob | Jul 8, 2005 8:04:00 PM
>...any methods necessary to remain in power.
Any methods? It's called an election and he's won every one of them! I just love how the left calls the right winning an election, "any method to remain in power."
>Unfortunately for those seeking change, the
>Australian economy remains in great shape
>and the opposition Labor party is crippled
>by totally ineffectual leadership.
Gee. It couldn't be that Howard's leadership is why the economy is in great shape is it?
Maybe the labor party is suffering from ineffectual ideas and that's why they keep losing elections.
Posted by: Mitch | Jul 8, 2005 8:16:09 PM
Contrary to what you and the leftist media would like to imply, Detention Centres aren't concentration camps: in facilities they're equivalent to 2 star hotels, including full internet connections. The children also receive complete schooling. Rather more than these people who have flouted Australia's immigration law deserve. Refugees my arse. The majority paid thousands to be smuggled so they could economically benefit.
Hey...I wouldn't mind being smuggled in to Europe so I could earn big euros! Howard's tough mandatory detention policy nipped in the bud a smuggling operation that was rapidly growing from small to uncontrollable. And guess what : polls consistently show...despite media distortions...that the vast majority of the Australian people are absolutely behind him on this issue. Best stick to contributing to DNA magazine: pretty boys, and fluff articles for morons.
Posted by: James P | Jul 8, 2005 8:38:34 PM
The Howard Government's ban on same-sex marriage (marriage being a federal matter in Australia) was not passed by Parliament totally unopposed. The main opposition, the Australian Labor Party, did not oppose, but the minority Australian Greens and Australian Democrats vehemently attacked the legislation in the Senate (as well as through the Greens sole member in the House of Representatives, who lost his seat in the recent elections).
Posted by: Brian | Jul 8, 2005 8:50:04 PM
ethically corrupt?
Posted by: richard the yankee | Jul 8, 2005 9:50:15 PM
Gays supporting the Republicans. What's happening here?
Posted by: fred | Jul 8, 2005 11:54:22 PM
Quite interesting that you mentioned Australia's PM. For a couple of years i've had an online mate informing me (in his ideolistic conservative manner) about the political scene on the other side of the pacific. we get into very heated arguments when it comes to politics. these arguments usually end with name-calling and one of us leaving. but anyway, i'm digressing. if my Liberal (with capital "L") friend is an example of what the party's ideals are, then australia is in trouble. It's funny,he's one of those self-hating gays. I find that it's usually those types of closetted homosexuals who so blindly support Bush/Howard and their narrow views of the world.
Posted by: Michael K | Jul 9, 2005 7:29:17 AM
yeah Fred, what's up with gays supporting a party whose leaders think gay marriage is the same as having sex with a dog? what a comfused bunch, eh? But, seriously though--even putting the whole gay issue aside--if after truly taking into consideration all the reasons and effects of this administration's national and international policies, you still support shrub, then you're either cruel or in desperate need of picking up a book.
Posted by: Michael K | Jul 9, 2005 7:52:50 AM
James P, Here's the difference - 2 star hotels are not surrounded with razor wire and you can check out if you wish. Locking children up in detention centers for up to five years is inexcusable. That might have something to do with why Howard has just announced after years of domestic and international pressure that all asylum seekers/refugees will now be processed within 6 months of arrival in Australia.
Since when has the view of the majority about a minority made their opinion the right one? If you applied your argument to human rights issues throughout history, gays, blacks, women and other non-majority voting blocks would still be unprotected at the whims of the majority. Discriminatory laws are almost always changed by politicians with courage and vision, often in the face of the ignorance and discrimination of a majority.
Your unfounded claim that these are not genuine refugees is totally refuted by the fact that over 90% of detainees, once processed, are found to be legitimate refugees and granted asylum in Australia. To qualify as a genuine refugee (especially under Howard's Immigration Dept.) is not just a matter of paying a few thousand to a smuggler. Genuine refugees have fled war torn countries where they faced certain death, often leaving everything and everyone they know and love. I hope you are never forced into such a situation, although it might open your eyes to having more compassion for your fellow humanity.
Posted by: Lewis Payton | Jul 9, 2005 1:07:50 PM
Well, I'm not an Australian citizen, but if I were, given the choice between supporting Howard, and the authors of that "But there is some hope." manifesto, I'll choose Howard any day.
Manifesto! Gawd almighty, what an incredibly approprite self-description. Yeah, lets see now...Australia is suffering from TOO MUCH material and economic success, and this is causing great unhappiness...LOL!!!!! I must say, I have have not forced myself to read through such pure and unmitigated Communist claptrap in a long while.
Oh, but Howard is against gay marriage? Hmm. Yes, I see. So, that puts him in the same exact catagory as Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Al Gore and John Kerry, does it not?
Well, since gay American lib-rulez have given the four candidates above a "Gay Marriage Free Pass" on the issue for several election cycles now, I think it's ONLY fair for ME to give Howard the same Free Pass as well. Whats fair is fair, after all.
Posted by: Cassius | Jul 10, 2005 4:50:11 PM
As an Australian living in the US I found your piece and the comments very interesting. Australians have a strong affinity with Americans, irrespective of the state of politics on either side of the Pacific. Australia's close strategic partnership is shared across Ausralia's political spectrum and amongst most Australians irrespective of our view of your present politics - therefore can't be attributed solely to Howard's Prime Ministership. Also, if you look at the basis of Australia's present economic performance, it is as much due to the competition and economic reforms implemented in the 80's and 90's by the previous government as the present - to a large extent the present government is riding on the wave of prosperity that came from the hard reforms implemented by the opposition.
As mentioned by some earlier remarks, the greatest failing of Australia's present government is its distinct disregard for fundamental human rights - whether for refugees, gays, indigenous Australians or the poor. The opposition continues to fail to put forward a strong ethical alternative, but the government also continues to pedal mistruths and engage in populist politics in order to serve their political ends.
Fortunately, although Australia's politics may have lost its egalitarian view and commitment to human rights, on the whole the Australian public is still very committed to these ideals.
Posted by: Mitchell | Jul 11, 2005 2:46:14 PM
I agree with many of Mitchell's observations. As an Australian who has lived in the US for a decade I've watched in a kind of fascinated horror as the Australian goverment has lost it's way.
What's worse is that, like many Australians (1 in 20 Australian citizens live outside Australia) who have been outside of Australia for some years, I am disenfranchised. I can no longer vote and am powerless to do more than write to my State and Federal Members of Parliament urging them to do what is right.
I'm so concerned that I've seriously considered returning to Australia to run for political office. And politics is something I swore I would never do.
I hope that the Australian people still have the spirit of "a fair go" alive in them.
Posted by: Brian | Oct 2, 2005 8:18:51 PM