The definition of Australia

The editorial (“The flat man, November 20-26) asked an important unanswered question: “Is Australia a flat character or are we something more?” This was based on Sean Kelly’s portrayal of Scott Morrison as a flat person (character with no interior) and the suggestion this may also describe Australia’s character. In reply, I point to two important Morrison traits reflecting underlying flat person ideals. First, he is a pragmatist concerned with matters of fact and immediacy such as maintaining power with the support of a Nationalist rump (at unknown cost). Second, he is a master of convenient truths such as “I never said that” and “can-do capitalism”. Australia’s character is not based on pragmatism or convenience.

It is built on the past (the tyranny of distance); a present (egalitarianism, diversity, high vaccination rates); and a future (equity for women, political integrity, a substantial climate policy). Behaviours are underpinned by ideals and Australia’s ideals are definable. Not so Morrison’s, and we should therefore conclude Australia is something much more than flat!

– David Wilson, Newport, Qld