Let’s build a bridge and rise above the insults
FORGET the light rail, we need to build a bridge … and get over it.
It was an exhausting election campaign, and perhaps that accounts for the less-than-stellar sportsmanship witnessed on social media from winners and losers alike. As I say to my children, perhaps it’s time for an early night so we can all wake up in a better mood.
Because, to be honest, we should all be looking on the bright side right now.
I do have sincere sympathy for those who wanted more action on climate change or indigenous reform, but all is not lost.
We live in a democracy – yay! Everyone gets another chance in three years and, listening to the political pundits, it sounds like Abbott’s obliteration sent a strong message that more must be done about the environment.
As for the comparisons between this Coalition victory and that of Trump in 2016 … stop it.
I truly don’t see how even the most vehement detractors of ScoMo could possibly compare him to the Orange in Chief. Whether you like his politics or not, Scott Morrison seems like a genuinely nice guy … and, more importantly, a real statesman.
It also minimises the significant gap between left and right in the US – and maximises the minimal gap over here.
While we’ve been told repeatedly of the differences between Labor and Liberal, the truth is – they’re not that far apart.
No, really.
Take a look at the ABC’s Vote Compass political science tool. A series of 30 questions establishes your position on the grid between conservative and progressive policies – in terms of both economics and social justice.
As I expected, I sit precisely between the two major parties.
But what was really interesting was how far apart the two parties sit from each other. In a grid of 64 squares, they are two – TWO – squares apart.
The Greens are way off at the top left-hand corner and One Nation is further down to the right (although not as far as I expected).
The truth is that all of this division we’ve been fed and are feeling is a figment of the imagination of, primarily, online social media warriors. And, of course, political campaigners themselves. After all, they need to establish why they are different to make you vote for them.
Our two major parties are actually both centrist and stable (the parade of PMs notwithstanding) … and that is something to be proud of.
Life in Australia, and especially the Gold Coast, is pretty good (for most of us) and I believe that’s part of the reason we chose to keep the same government. With so much global uncertainty, choosing the conservative option feels natural.
Look, I understand the disappointment of those who wanted a change, but this is not the end of the world (that was actually in November 2016). This is no reason to move countries and lose faith in your fellow countrymen or chuck a Twitter tantrum.
As a friend of mine posted: “As we move on from this election, I feel like Australians need to try harder to find common ground and respect for other people’s point of view – your priorities may be different from theirs and your world view might be different to theirs, but that’s OK. It doesn’t make them bad people, or stupid, or ignorant – let’s all try to practice a little kindness, respect, empathy and understanding.”
Spot. On.
You win some, you lose some. That’s life and that’s politics.
It’s an attitude adopted by a good friend of mine, a longtime Labor lover. Yes, she was disappointed … but also really chuffed with ScoMo’s inclusive victory speech.
“How good is Australia?” he asked … and nailed it.
It’s true. It is so, so good. As Australians, as Gold Coasters, we have so much more in common than different.
The political race is over for now. Let’s get back to the beach and the barbecues and the beer … and we can do it all again in another three years.
But let’s behave ourselves a little better next time. Because, as Australians, we’re better than that.
Read Ann Wason Moore every Tuesday and Saturday in the