Who loses?
HISTORY tells us the federal Budget is a story of winners and losers. Back in the day it was simple. “Beer and smokes are up” was a regular headline for this time of year.
It was easy to understand who were the losers in this narrative. But today we are living in a sophisticated nation with a greater understanding of the nuances of economics and there are far fewer losers and so many more winners.
Today we have all been told the tale that corporate tax cuts make everybody a winner. We have been promised this money will create more jobs and so we will all win thanks to the fabulous theory of trickle down economics.
This is how we tell stories in the 21st century. Every Australian will be a winner. But who knew that in 2018, Captain James Cook was going to be also included in the winner column?
Cook arrived by boat with no passport and no permission. He was what the Government would call “an illegal”. But Scott Morrison’s 2018 Budget is promising $3 million for a new monument for this Englishman. The installation will be a significant part of a $50 million redevelopment of the Meeting Place Precinct in Botany Bay. The Cook family will be winners. So will the constituents of Botany Bay, which forms a part of Mr Morrison’s electorate of Cook.
The Treasurer is convinced this is an excellent spend of our taxes. In his opinion, the new Cook monument is a muchneeded “place of commemoration and recognition and understanding of two cultures, and the incredible Captain Cook”.
The “incredible” Cook sailed from England and planted a Union Jack that has led us to what we know as the “unreconciled modern Australia”.
It is no surprise the spend is in the Treasurer’s electorate. A little bit of pork barrelling at Budget time is to be expected. But why are we building a monument for yet another Englishman, when we have so much work to do reconciling our own Australian history on this continent?
When we were at school we were taught that Captain Cook “discovered” Australia. Today, we know this is not true. But for some reason our country refuses to come to terms with our brutal and bloody history.
The Government has rejected the recommendations of the Statement From the Heart. There has been little to no progress in the “closing of the gap”. Today we are far more educated about the problems that face Aboriginal people. The incarceration rates are out of control. There are disproportionate challenges when it comes to health, housing and education.
We all know Cook was on a mission from a foreign power to plant the flag and take the land. This process was happening all over the Pacific. If there is a Union Jack in the corner, then you have an understanding of the annexation technique.
Last week New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, pictured, wore a Maori cloak to a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The occasion took place during the Commonwealth heads of government meeting. Ardern wore a “Kahu huruhuru”. This cloak is usually bestowed on chiefs and dignitaries. Her appearance sent the message throughout the Commonwealth that New Zealand was a nation that had come to terms with history and was able to tell its own story. The New Zealand story does not revolve around winners and losers. It is a tale of reconciliation and respect. It involves Europeans but it is not driven by the last to the party. The story of New Zealand places Maori at the centre of the conversation. It recognises the First Peoples narrative is critical. They do not need to declare themselves a republic in order to be independent thinkers. They have a pride in their own heritage and a powerful vision for their future. Across the ditch Australia has a Prime Minister who used to be the leader of the Australian Republican Movement, but is now a quiet monarchist. He has had the opportunity to create a progressive path, but has chosen to continue to tread the conservative journey. Polishing the granite and bowing to the crown of a foreign power. This money could be better spent. Ross Mueller is a freelance writer and columnist