Bill GreenBeazley and Australian Values
September 26th 2006 07:08
Recently on the fifth anniversary of September 11, Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley proposed that people coming to Australia should sign a ‘values’ statement. What brought this about? It seems that Beazley had learnt that the Howard Government was about to release a new citizenship statement that included ‘new citizens must pass an English test and learn about Australian values’. So not to be outdone Beazley thought he would push the ‘them and us line’ about what it is to be a fair dink-um Aussie.
Many of his party were horrified, as they knew this type of rhetoric actually alienates rather than unites and says, ‘our values are better than yours’. They also knew that Beazley was on shaky ground as for years no one has been able to come up with Australian values that mean all to everybody. That is why respect for the rule of law and democracy is often all we can require of people.
Ask any Indigenous person if they think their people have had a fair go. Beazley says, they will ask visa entrants to respect women. We have double standards. Look at our magazines covers. What do they tell us about our respect and protection of our youth? Australian girls are losing their childhood and are pressured into looking skinny and sexy.
Many say that Beazley is trying to beat John Howard at his own game – that being conservative politics. Everyone knows he can’t as Howard is the master, and this is his domain and these are his personal convictions which has proved successful. However, does Beazley genuinely hold right wing conservative views and is this where his convictions lay? If so, maybe he should join the Liberal Party and leave the Labor party to develop as a once again progressive Party that inspires for all.
Many of his party were horrified, as they knew this type of rhetoric actually alienates rather than unites and says, ‘our values are better than yours’. They also knew that Beazley was on shaky ground as for years no one has been able to come up with Australian values that mean all to everybody. That is why respect for the rule of law and democracy is often all we can require of people.
Ask any Indigenous person if they think their people have had a fair go. Beazley says, they will ask visa entrants to respect women. We have double standards. Look at our magazines covers. What do they tell us about our respect and protection of our youth? Australian girls are losing their childhood and are pressured into looking skinny and sexy.
Many say that Beazley is trying to beat John Howard at his own game – that being conservative politics. Everyone knows he can’t as Howard is the master, and this is his domain and these are his personal convictions which has proved successful. However, does Beazley genuinely hold right wing conservative views and is this where his convictions lay? If so, maybe he should join the Liberal Party and leave the Labor party to develop as a once again progressive Party that inspires for all.
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