Embrace of 'Australian values' exposes hollowness |
Angus Taylor’s latest attempt to grasp any sort of relevance has laid bare the raw politics at the heart of Australia’s conservative movement, but it also raises an interesting question – what exactly are the “Australian values” he thinks migrants are not upholding?
“Those who migrate from liberal democracies have a greater likelihood of subscribing to Australian values,” he claims, which immediately rules out the US and Britain, both of which, according to the latest V-Dems report, no longer make the grade as “liberal democracy” and have been downgraded to “electoral democracy”.
That’s mostly because of crackdowns on freedom of expression and civil liberties, an authoritarian push led by those claiming to uphold the “values” of their particular nation, which apparently means limiting the civil rights of those protesting against a genocide, and the trampling of due process by democratically elected governments.
In that, Taylor has already been beaten to the punch by existing Australian governments, which have spent the better part of the past decade, and particularly the past three years, passing laws in an attempt to crush democratic dissent.
(Although it seems that our courts are at least still concerned with upholding civil liberties, even as parliaments continue to test them.)
Only 7 per cent of the world’s population – less than one billion people – now live in a liberal democracy. For the moment, Australians are counted among them. But are the “Australian values” Taylor speaks of eroding our own democracy? Because a return to a discriminatory migration policy would certainly help that slide.
Is it an “Australian value” to turn to dog whistling and racism every time you feel down in the polls? Modern political history would say yes. Because, while the Liberal Party of Malcolm Fraser was brave enough to face down fear and racism and open Australia to Vietnamese refugees, the modern Liberal Party has spent much of its time since Howard increasing temporary migration while at the same time demonising migrants, asylum seekers and refugees for political gain.
But then, that makes sense when you base your values on the lowest-hanging fruit. It is much easier to blame black and brown people for every economic ill in Australia than stand up to the fossil fuel industry, for example, or force the wealthy to address their role in ripping apart our social fabric through their hoarding of wealth, resources and basic needs, like housing.
By this measure, it’s an Australian value to only ever do the least possible to address inequality or ensure human dignity for all, so as not to make the exceptionally wealthy uncomfortable.
Officially, the Australian values we make all visa applicants commit to, include “respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion (including the freedom not to follow a particular religion), freedom of speech and freedom of association, a commitment to the rule of law, parliamentary democracy and equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race or national or ethnic origin”.
By that measure, Taylor, One Nation and all the voters they claim to speak for on these issues are not aligned with “Australian values”. Every government MP who has supported a crackdown on civil liberties, peaceful protest and speech is not aligned with “Australian values”. And the Australia they claim to want is not aligned with the “Australian values” they claim they are defending.
We also make visa applicants sign their commitment to the “fair go”, which means “mutual respect, tolerance, compassion for those in need and equality of opportunity for all”. Which again, Taylor, his acolytes and the party he is aping don’t practise themselves.
Tolerance – but only so far as you agree with them. Mutual respect – but only if they have decided you as a human deserve their respect in the first place. Compassion – but only for those they deem worthy. Equality of opportunity – but not for all.
As for English, we already make every visa applicant recognise English as the national language “and as an important unifying element of Australian society”.
So what, exactly, is Taylor’s “values-based” migration plan, other than a complete and utter bastardisation of the existing “values” we apparently hold so dear that we make anyone applying for a visa commit to before considering their application?
Is it the Australian value of allowing fossil fuel companies carte blanche to Australian resources and wealth, while telling Australians they have to prepare for cuts to their social services?
Is it the Australian value of kowtowing to billionaires and letting business dictate taxation and social policy?
Is it the Australian value of pretending there is nothing governments can do to provide dignity to their people through a liveable wage, universal health care access and housing?
Is it the Australian value of spending millions in defence while telling people on the NDIS to prepare to lose their independence and freedoms?
Is it the Australian value of not acknowledging a genocide because it’s being carried out by a traditional ally?
Is it the Australian value of feeling “deep concerns” over the trashing of what was left of international law and the global order?
Is it the Australian value of pretending a 25 per cent gas tax is going to end the world, while sitting passively in front of those who seem to be trying their darndest to bring about that end?
Is it the Australian value of treating an obvious racist dog whistle with no data, modelling or evidence as a serious policy?
Is it the Australian value of pretending to be completely powerless as one of the world’s major economies?
Is it the Australian value of doing whatever you think is going to retain you maybe a handful of elections by demonising people who are already experiencing an unimaginable grief, fear and uncertainty about their loved ones and their own future?
Because at the moment, Australian “values”, as held up by Taylor, his cronies and those he is attempting to woo, are worlds away from those we already make those who want to make Australia, even just temporarily, their home swear to.
Perhaps Australia would be the place it could be, if our politicians followed the prescribed “Australian values” a little more closely themselves.
Amy Remeikis is a contributing editor for The New Daily and chief political analyst for The Australia Institute
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