We have overcome our isolation but we are still caught in two worlds, Europe and Asia. Events have transpired that have fed into changes that create their own momentum. Technology have brought us closer to the rest of the world and there is nothing any amount of conservative opposition can do to stop it. The tyranny of distance has been resolved.

When one looks back on these post war years there is much to like. Australians by nature are optimistic and forward-looking. It has been that optimism that has propelled us forward. Our immigration programme was hugely successful. ‘’She’ll be right’’ became the catchcry of the Snowy Mountain Scheme’’ meaning we could overcome any adversity. It was a Labor idea carried out by Menzies but either way it commenced our expansion as a nation.

We are now the world’s 12th largest economy with a GDP larger than Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, and Indonesia. In the 2008 GFC we were the only western nation to avoid a recession. We have experienced 23 years of economic growth. The only country to do so and people under the age of 30 have never experienced a recession.

So why the political negativity?

Our cities continually win ‘’The Best Place to Live’’ awards and the OEDCs better life index of national happiness. We are top of the world’s tourist destinations edging out the Maldives, Hawaii and France. Our science restaurants, design, creativity and our business acumen enjoy a world reputation.

We have a multi-cultural population of 22.5 million of which one million are at any given time traveling the world. Our education system has produced international managers of McDonalds, Ford, Pizza Hut, British Airways and the World Bank. The Times of London even urged our ex pats not to return home because they were considered so valuable to the English economy.

So why the political negativity?

Despite a downturn in prices we still have the world’s largest supply of minerals and next year we may well become the world’s largest exporter of natural gas. We are still huge exporters of wheat and agricultural products. In fact the overall opportunities for export growth are enormous.
Westfield is the biggest shopping mall owner in the world.

Our international and diplomatic reputation has never been higher. We are privy to the ear of any nation. We have, for many years enjoyed a succession of foreign ministers, on both sides of politics who have served us well.

The Prime Minister of the day walks easily at the side of Presidents. Such is our world standing. Bob Hawke was instrumental in the formation of APEC, while Paul Keating elevated it into a leader’s forum. Peter Costello was the chief architect of the G20. We are now one of only ten non- permanent members of the UN Security Council.

So why the negativity?

In the arts we have overcome our cultural cringe. Hollywood is alive with Australian actors. Our authors are amongst the worlds most popular. Our popular music is constantly in demand. The Australian ballet tours continuously. Aboriginal art, dance and culture is recognised. Consider the success of Tropfest which from humble beginnings has become the world’s biggest short film festival. Our culture is now exported and in demand without the need for validation. People like Clive James, Robert Hughes and Germaine Greer who had to leave the country to find recognition were trail blazers. Nowadays they can live anywhere and retain our public esteem. Our intellectuals are no longer ostracised or shunned. Our prosperity, our achievements and future possibilities are reported in the world’s great publications. In short we are better known internationally now, than we have ever been.

Lastly, in sport our reputation, despite a 10th in the London Olympics remains untarnished. Whatever the sport you will more than likely find an Australian on the leader board.

So why the political negativity?

Other than becoming a republic Australia in my lifetime has come of age. There are many factors outside of politics that have contributed to a bigger and better Australia. We have never had it better.

Prior to Whitlam we were an international backwater. His optimism opened our eyes to a brave new world full of opportunity. There was simply a before Whitlam and an after Whitlam. No amount of conservative negativity about his legacy will change that fact. Hawke, Keating, Gillard and Rudd sought to enhance his legacy and for a time positivity trumped all. Fraser and Howard despite their longevity of office achieved little in lasting major reforms except for Howards GST. If you count that as a positive.

Then came along the greatest relentlessly negative conservative spoiler, with a sad history of combative political behavior this country has ever seen. A man who walks and talks negativity. I suspect a man negative by nature all his life who came to power with it, only to find that leadership requires a degree of charisma and substance?

At a time when our nation needed a leader of foresight, of the Whitlam ilk, we elected a dud. When we needed a leader of character, with the moral fibre to face the growing threat of climate change, inequality in wealth and equality of opportunity in education we choose the most negative lying politician we have ever had. A Prime Minister whose words and actions bring into question the very essence of the word truth. Or he has at least devalued it to the point of obsolescence.

Remarkably, even after the unfair 2014 budget, and a litany of broken promises he has maintained with shameless effrontery that keeping promises is a priority for his government. It’s intriguing that he would be so cavalier with his credibility.

He is man who has spread negativity like rust through the community not only as Opposition Leader, but by habit as Prime Minister.
A man devoid of ideas with a dour cabinet depressingly in sync. A man with a past so incredibly negative that he now finds it impossible to be positive about anything. And it rubs off onto those around him.

The attempt at transforming Abbott from ultra-negative Opposition Leader to positive Prime Minister has been an unmitigated disaster. He is out of touch with today’s young who have adapted to technological change and the benefits it brings. Women in general see him as a palpably grubby individual not to be trusted. A man of the past who lacks any passion for fairness and the underprivileged.

We need a leader who can take on the gauntlet of Whitlam’s legacy and build on it with fresh ideas. One who has the sagacity to see the advantages of a new economy built around renewable energy. Someone who can put aside the politic and dare to dream of a future with policies conceived for the common good. Creative policies augmented with sound economic rational. In short a man with a vision for our future and a narrative to explain it.

One who can put our democracy back in order where debate is not of necessity about winning or taking down ones opponent. But rather an exchange of facts ideas and principles. Or in its purest form simply the art of persuasion.

A true democracy where the voice of the individual can still be heard over the political chatter. A democracy where policies need not of necessity be measured against our GDP but also how they enhance the welfare of the people. About how we react to each other in our social equity, our work, our play, our art, our poetry and wellbeing.

We will of course, because of our individual and collective confidence, continue to grow. Our natural optimism will create new ideas and change will make us richer. The opportunities are only narrowed by conservative negativity. However, wouldn’t it be nice if we had a government who shared our gregariously positive outlook instead of this pessimistic lot of political fools.

Whitlam as a leader was creative and positive, whereas Abbott is Captain Negative. Whitlam was the most constructive opposition leader Australia has known; Abbott the least constructive.

What might Bill Shorten turn out to be?

‘’If you think positively that’s what you will become and the same applies to negativity. As we think so we become”

I have just read the prologue of the book by Nick Bryant ‘’The Rise and Fall of Australia’’ – How a Great Nation Lost its Way. It is exquisitely written, summarising post war Australia, its growth its prosperity, its sport, its culture, its ingrained positivity and its politics.

Having been born in 1941 it is a period in time that I easily identify with. A time when as a boy poverty was a word experienced, if not understood. Where the loss of ration coupons on the way to the dairy invited a belting and living four to a room with a single gas burner was commonplace.

My political philosophy was born of Irish stubbiness on my mother’s side. Of unashamed idealism concerned about equality and the common good, with a strong sense of social justice, the value of things, and an appreciation of what a true democracy should be.

As a youth my home, Australia, was indeed ‘’a land downunder’’ Of little importance to the rest of the world. But along the way, almost in spite of ourselves, we have grown up, well almost. Certainly in spite of leaders like arch conservatives Menzies. Howard and now Abbott.

The three have one thing in common. They all embraced the American century but at the same time each had an instinctive yearning to re attach the umbilical cord with mother England.

As Bryant puts it ‘’in the national conversation, the idea of proximity had not yet dislodged the longstanding sense of isolation’’

John Lord