Peter Adamis 3 July 2014. Australia is beset by many domestic and international challenges. The Abbott government is taking appropriate positive action to block, heal, consolidate, prevent, seal and bring about change to offset the negative forces and challenges it faces. I wonder whether we are creating a generation of isolationists and a fortress mentality. A mindset that may have adverse outcomes for future generations. A copy of the complete article may be downloaded by clicking on: FORTRESS AUSTRALIA
Challenges such as: public complacency, Illegal refugee boats intrusions, cyber warfare, low population rates, cultural misinformation, international terrorism, attitude to welfare handouts, loss of confidence in law makers, mistrust of institutions, gender misinformation, right to life & abortion disagreements, border security, shifting political trends, rise of extremist groups, global financial standing, a declining mining boom, the rise of China, India, Brazil and resource hungry nations are all matters that should concern Australians. These challenges when they are grouped together as such, if not addressed head on, can easily overwhelm any nation, especially when the people are not united to overcome those challenges.
In the absence of any identifiable hostile acts, isolated as an island from the rest of the world, and relying solely on the governments institutions to safe guard Australians interests are deluding themselves that the Government alone can address all of the challenges. History has been a good teacher and a leveller of nations and empires that fail to be united and always have disintegrated by the decay within. Australians need to take a greater interests in the affairs of government at all levels and contribute to its economic stability, security wellbeing and longevity.
From volunteering with non profit organisations, voicing a opinion at local government, assisting and supporting any of the many diverse cultural community groups, partaking in government programs that enhance the quality of life, balancing work and home without causing undue stress, giving it your best, taking an interest in sporting activities, supporting cultural events, consulting with and supporting government initiatives, supporting our defence and pare military organisations, getting involved with social media, assisting the young and aged, reporting illegal acts, reporting and preventing violence, setting an example and keeping abreast of your immediate environment.
It sounds corny and Utopian does it not and one can easily be accused of being a ‘goody goody and self righteous’, but the fact of the matter is that it is what people see to find in this age of global technology. Whatever ever one may think or feel, it is true that we all want a life, that is free of negativity, to make our environment a pleasant one as far as possible and not have to worry about an uncertain future.
This is not a utopian concept but it is possible if Australians work together to create a nation that can set an example to the rest of the world. At this very moment we stand upon the threshold of history in creating a great nation. This great nation can only be created if we are all united as Australians and not as separated diverse cultures that choose to travel a path that is not consistent with Australian values.
What this means is that we need to review the cultural paradigms of the past and discard the inappropriate, the irrelevant, the untruths, the failed institutions and create new ones that are consistent with today’s society by blending the many different threads that have been introduced into Australian and make that fabric indestructible, a fabric that can survive any future challenge.
I am not convinced that stopping the boats and returning them to their origins is a good policy as I am of the belief that its best to widen our doors to legal migration based on what our skills and needs are. Illegal boats and refugees are a symptom of what ails the world today and we must act responsibly if we are to be taken seriously. Refugees that are returned will be subjected to such harsh treatment and potential long term confinement and death. The outcomes would make us accessory to murder and other solutions should be found.
Review our history and put it right, Australia was never discovered by Captain Cook, and for the uninformed William Dampier was the first Englishman to discover Australia, but the discovery by Europeans belongs to other nations who failed to see the splendour of Australia and its vast recourses. Ensure that our indigenous people enjoy the same rights and access to all the benefits enjoyed by the remainder of Australia. These are but two examples and to be sure there are many others. We need to create an image that we want to project to the world, an image that would be the envy of all and example to other nations. We should also look towards creating industries that can harness the power , intelligence, skills, life skills, knowledge and qualifications of the mature age.
I say all of the above because the Europeans see us new comers on the block even though we have been instrumental in shedding our men and women’s blood and paying the ultimate sacrifice to keep them free. Asia looks upon our vast country as the food bowl and an island for extracting our natural resources and a place to be diplomatically subjugated by coercion and economic servitude. The Americas are looking at us as manpower to be utilised as potential canon fodder and diplomatic tools to be used on the world stage.
We see ourselves as mere mortals who are not sure where we stand and where we belong under the global umbrella. We must not be afraid to become the great nation that we are capable of being. It’s time we woke up to the realities of life and realise that we have the capabilities, the manpower, the resilience, tolerance, intelligence, the strength and the skills to take a far greater role in our immediate region of influence and contribute further to global peace, prosperity and well being. We are quite capable of being a great people and yet we wallow in self doubt that we are not equal in the face of other nations contributions.
To assist readers and those who take an interest in such matters, I have included but a few articles of the challenges currently faced by Australia. Challenges such Illegal refugee boats, Cyberwafare, Terrorism and government action. These are but a few of the outstanding issues we as Australians are faced with. Failing to understand what we are being faced with on a daily basis should not come as a surprise when policies are put into place to redress the challenges. I do hope that somewhere, at some time, this article and others articles encourage current or future potential leaders to take up the mantle of leadership and lead this country out of its sleepy and complacent mindset.
The Voice from the Pavement – Peter Adamis is a Journalist/Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum. He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News. He holds a Bachelor of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Contact via Email: [email protected] or via Mobile: 0409965538