Key Takeaways
- The article discusses the aftermath of a tragic attack in Australia, where a memorial was held for the victims.
- The event was attended by politicians, including Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce, who used the opportunity to promote their own agendas.
- The article highlights the need for Australia to address issues such as gun laws and antisemitism in a serious and substantial manner.
- The author argues that the current political climate is marked by opportunism, name-calling, and a lack of genuine discussion about important issues.
- The article concludes by calling for a rejection of the "cruel political pantomime" that has become increasingly common, and for a return to a more humane and compassionate approach to politics.
Introduction to the Memorial
The scene was set for a somber and reflective memorial service, with mourners gathering around a sea of flowers behind the Bondi Pavilion. The crowd was singing a traditional song of peace, "Shalom, shalom", when suddenly the emotional intensity of the moment was broken by shouts of "Albo must go" and a rejoinder, "What did you do? You’re in the parliament too". The singing stopped, and the crowd’s attention was drawn to two politicians, Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce, who were standing at the front of the crowd, surrounded by security personnel and journalists.
The Politicians’ Message
Pauline Hanson, known for her divisive rhetoric, was talking about freedom and safety, and the right to live "without fear". She called for hate preachers to be "rounded up", and reiterated her familiar rallying cry, "Let’s get back the Australia I grew up in… I look at the people we are bringing to the country. Certain countries they should not be allowed to migrate here". Some members of the crowd welcomed her words, holding up their phones to capture them and taking selfies with her. However, not everyone was impressed, and a team of volunteers from Turbans 4 Australia were handing out food and water at the entrance to the memorial, with one Sikh man telling the author that "Australians reject extremes", and that if Hanson had her way, he would not be allowed to be in the country.
The Public Sentiment
In the aftermath of the attack, the overwhelming public sentiment has been that this was not just a targeted killing of Jewish Australians, but an attack on the very idea of the nation as an inclusive society. The author notes that the attack on a place that brings joy, such as the Bondi Pavilion, was breathtaking, and that the political response should not have descended into opportunism and name-calling. The author argues that both gun laws and antisemitism must be addressed seriously and substantially, and that the major parties must agree on the basics and take responsibility for their actions.
The Dereliction of Duty
The author is critical of the major parties for their failure to address the issues at hand, and for their descent into opportunism and name-calling. The author notes that Australians are not alone in struggling with hard conversations, but that when the major parties cannot agree on the basics, that is a dereliction of their responsibility. The author quotes the song "We Are Australian", which says "We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands on Earth we come… we are Australian", and argues that this sense of unity and inclusiveness must be preserved.
The Normalization of Hate Speech
The author notes that the past year has seen a significant increase in vile racist, misogynist, and antisemitic language, which has been celebrated under the phoney rubric of free speech. The author argues that this has created a climate in which some people become prey to demagogues, while most retreat to the comfort of their families and loved ones. The author quotes pollster Kos Samaras, who wrote that people see through those who "seek to weaponise grief, hunt for scapegoats and turn fear into a wedge".
Conclusion
The author concludes by calling for a rejection of the "cruel political pantomime" that has become increasingly common, and for a return to a more humane and compassionate approach to politics. The author argues that tackling the issues at hand will require determination, courage, and humility, like that displayed by Ahmed al-Ahmed, Reuven Morrison, and Boris and Sofia Gurman, who followed their instincts to protect others at whatever cost. The author hopes that 2025 will not be remembered as a "hinge year", in which a new inhumane order was established, but rather as a year in which people came together to reject hate and promote inclusivity and compassion.
