Opinion: The past 20 years have not been built on the structure of efficiency and conviviality we projected back then - John Howard released the dogs of ethnic hysteria, and they are running still and mauling our repute
What an inhuman weight on that young woman! She was a stand-out in her scientifically developed costume, but had to win to validate the use of it. She was the only Olympic athlete for whom silver would be a failure - for herself and us and the Games. So first we take the country away from her people, and then we put this Herculean rock of expectation round her neck.
We were also anxious to behave ourselves and show geniality to the visitors. We were so good at it that every American you met said he or she wanted to settle here. They were full of stories about how Sydneysiders would walk a few blocks out of their way to show them how to get somewhere. We lapped it up, me as much as anyone.AP/Laura Rauch
The past 20 years, however, have not been built on the structure of efficiency and conviviality we projected back then. John Howard released the dogs of ethnic hysteria, and they are running still, and mauling our repute. The inadequately justified removal of prime minister Kevin Rudd by Julia Gillard diminished both leaders. Tony Abbott was catastrophically retrograde, and Malcolm Turnbull – to the surprise of all of us – ruled according to the diktats of Abbott anyway.
John Howard and his then immigration minister Philip Ruddock in 2001 at the time of the Tampa crisis.And we are all aware that the last 20 years have been seasons of great rancour and accusation on all sides of politics. Did we like each other any more? It was a great relief when Scott Morrison and others were humanised by the contagion of COVID-19, and suddenly job seekers were no longer drug-engorging bludgers but Henry Lawson-esque mates in a cruel world.
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