In this issue:
‘Alarmed But Not Alert’ – Australia’s Counter Terrorism Laws Ten Years On
Are We Really That Kind of Nation?
Changing Australia’s Drinking Culture
‘Alarmed But Not Alert’ – Australia’s Counter Terrorism Laws Ten Years On
Expansive new laws have emerged as a response to the terrorist attacks of September 2001. But in their desire to protect, have these laws introduced new dangers and threats? And do we, in any case, need them? Simon Bronitt reflects on the last ten years of legal development.
For Kids’ Sake
A long-term deterioration in the social and cultural habitat of young people lies behind worrying statistics about the wellbeing of children. So argues Patrick Parkinson, who believes there is an urgent need for action by the government and, above all, by the community.
Are We Really That Kind of Nation?
Engagement, reflection and debate are the key resources a democracy mobilizes for enriching social relationships and improving public policy. Democracies can lose those resources over time if they aren’t cultivated and cared for. Karyn Brinkley fears for the future of our polity.
Changing Australia’s Drinking Culture
Alcohol consumption and its many destructive consequences appear to be an acceptable part of Australian society and culture. People who question the value of alcohol in their lives, and in the lives of those around them, can now explore the issues in an innovative online forum. Chris Raine talks about how he came up with Hello Sunday Morning and the impact it is having.
I do not believe governments can fix this problem [regarding children's wellbeing] which stems from the same affliction the West imposed on indigineous peoples. We are suffering from a crisis in Faith; a loss of the religious backbone which keeps society and its peoples cohesive.The Seven Deadly Sins are no longer deadly, Wisdom Literature is old hat, respect for self, one’s elders and ones traditions has now been replaced by egocentric materialism and nagging inner emptines leading to alienation and substance abuse.
There are few social visionaries in public life and life is overshadowed by fears of a global warming catastrophe. We have lost the art of living simply and are hooked on a system which is dependent on endless growth in a finite biosphere. Mental health is threatened by advertising hype and information overload and the need for constant cyber-stimulation and connection.
Childhood is under threat and the mental health of our children is the litmus paper for Western society in decline in a post-Christendom era. Childhood and adult obesity stems from a disconnect between us and our terroire and inner malaise.
The decline of modern childhood began in my opinion in the 1950s. We are still paying for gutting the spirit from our indiginous population and are now suffering from a dose of the same.
We can’t fix this. The genie is out of the bottle. We have traded the big backyard for grey houses of stuff where children sit behing bars playing computer games while suffering from vitamin D deficiency in a land of sunshine and plenty. We need houses which go to the edge of the boundary as this is a sign of success and social status where grass and tree houses are seen as old hat or just dangerous. You’d better consult your lawyer just in case.
Thanks for your article Karyn.
I’ve never really thought of Australia that way until yesterday – when a friend from overseas made that exact comment about Australian culture. It both made sense and surprised me.
It just helps me realise once again that we need a values-change in Australia. We need to start having that conversation, and more than having the conversation, we need to identify some values and just start acting them out, day-to-day. When we see scenes such as you described at the Writers Festival, we, as people with the values of tolerance and the free and fair exchange of ideas without vilification, have to stand up and speak out.
Look forward to hearing more from you about this topic.