It would appear, that within the last 3 years, Australia has developed into some sort of fascist state - or at least it would be if there weren't so many intelligent people who vigilantly keep the government at bay.
A few weeks ago I was at a party where the conversation drifted, as it far too often does, into the sphere of politics. I have come to dread this situation. I tend to enter into debates and realise my folly very quickly, before I can stop the barrage of passionate opinion. This was particularly true of the occasion in question, my company was a collection of conservative types, who lean a lot farther right than my personal inclinations. (I'm not discriminatory, it's just not what I advocate). I left this conversation shocked at the opinions espoused by a friend (read: ' there was no reason for Australia to apologise to the Aboriginal people') but also with a remarkable sense that our government must have fascist tendencies.
The friend in question was very averse to the idea of the government censoring our Internet. I personally don't find issue with it as I access neither terrorist websites nor child pornography and my browsing will not be affected. My friend however, seemed to believe that the government should not be given the power to censor what we can access, as once such ability is given they will surely start to block other material they don't wish us to see. This friend went on to point out that this was exactly how the 'Nazi's' got into power - by gradually getting permission to control Germany.
It was at this point in the conversation that my jaw clamped shut and I think my brain began to shut down.
I happen to be studying pre-WWII Germany at present and so the lecturing almost made me laugh. (I must write another post about how irritating I find it that everyone references the Nazi regime). Also seeing as this friend is scathing of the left wing aspects of our current government, (or rather, their lack of conservatism) I would actually suggest that a socialist metaphor is more appropriate - say...Stalinist Russia. But again, I knew I was severely outnumbered and also realised such a comment may need ten minutes of explaining, so I wisely refrained.
Having pondered this for several weeks I am still amazed at this friend's claims. What they indicated was an essential lack of trust in out democratic system. I know of many who think very similarly, which is a great cause for concern. I'm a big supporter of active, informed debate, but this hypocrisy is more than a little ridiculous.
They use their democratic right to free speech to vocalise anti-government or oppositional sentiments, which in actuality is being particularly encouraged at this time due to our hung parliament. Their lack of faith in the democratic system and it's role in ensuring that our government does not impinge the right of freedom of information is completely undercut by their reliance of this same system to have the freedom to express it.
I learned a valuable lesson from all this. When this friend additionally tried to make me understand that Australia had not been in any danger from the GFC - that had the government not been stupid and spent so much money we would not have been affected at all. I just shook my head.
Really, what I learned was that I just shouldn't get into these kind of discussions. I would have a lot more faith in my own generation if I just ignored the need for political discourse.
Alas.
I hope that one day, Australian people are going to wake up and realise just how lucky they are to live in a country like ours.
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