Perhaps I’m wrong, but to me Australia Day should be about uniting our nation and the people who call this wonderful country home. Likewise, the person recognised as the Australian of the Year (AOTY) should be someone who embodies that spirit. Someone who has dedicated their lives to helping others. Over the last few years the AOTY’s have been people who have achieved the opposite in the eyes of many, myself included. They have created divide and attracted controversy.
Adam Goddes could have been a beacon to help unite Australia instead he created a divide. Whether that was his intention or not it is what happened. The same with Rosie Batty. Whilst Rosie highlighted the plight of woman subjected to domestic violence, she alienated men in the process. Many questioned her worthiness to take on the role given the circumstances that led to the death of her son.
So now we have David Morrison on whom the great honour of Australian of the Year 2016 has been bestowed. David was awarded the AOTY for his work on gender equality. As someone pointed out last night for doing his job in supporting our female defence force personnel.
Well, it hasn’t taken long for Mr Morrison to start to go the same path of dividing the nation. His comments this morning will alienate many. He has also stated he will focus on three areas over the coming twelve months; domestic violence, diversity and the gender pay gap and the republican movement.
So here we go again. I hope if he does focus on domestic violence, he includes everyone who battles with this day in day out. Men, woman and children. The gender pay gap fine, but diversity is a political minefield. Then we have his push for the Republican Movement. You can see where this will head and in the process, we end up with one side against the other. So as I stated in the beginning to me Australia Day is about uniting the nation and the Australian of the Year should embody that spirit. We can do that by focusing on the positive things this nation has to offer like volunteering, giving your mate a hand.
We don’t do that by engaging in political battles like the Republication debate and fuelling what is already a political football between the left and right, hence providing fodder for Labor/Greens to beat up on the Conservatives. We don’t do that by having the AOTY kick off Australia Day with the Muslim debate, although I agree with what David Morrison said. I just don’t see embroiling himself in this issue is his job. It certainly won’t unite the nation.
So sadly, whilst I think David Morrison is a good man, he is just another political pawn appointed to a role by people driving political agendas. That isn’t what I think Australia Day or the AOTY should be about. But perhaps that is just me.
