Australian Identity Crisis or Not?

Part 1:

“Forging an Australian Identity”

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/blogs/the-razors-edge/forging-an-australian-identity/20100630-zlu4.html

Part 2:

“So who the bloody hell are ya? Australia’s identity crisis just keeps resurfacing.”

Waikato Times – September 27^th

Sorry there’s no link – it wasn’t archived on the newspaper’s website and so I only have a hard copy! Copious quotes follow though.

Part 3:

The first article is by a woman who launched a Human Rights Commission Report on discrimination against African-Australians. She looks at how through history, various ethnic groups have had their turn assimilating into Australia. She fully expects that in time, African-Australians will be able to find jobs and walk down the street without discrimination. In essence, they will still be African-Australian, but they will also be Australian. In contrast, the second article claims that there is no Australian identity to assimilate into. It describes the identity crisis of Australians arising out of its diverse history: “If you want to define Australia, choose your narrative – British colony, aboriginal, immigrant cosmopolis. In other words, there is no one shared story, no essential Australia.” Australian scholar James Curran says that, “There’s nothing at the moment that allows us to define ourselves and our future.” In light of the first article, I really question whether or not most Australians would agree with these kinds of statements that imply Australians don’t have an identity. The author of the first article uses phrases like “quintessentially Australian” and “totally Aussie,” which reinforce the notion of a collective Australian identity. In contrast to the second article which says “We have no guiding philosophy,” she also says, “The core Australian ethos is to have a go.” Sounds like pretty conflicting ideas of the Australian identity! I’m looking forward to us all being in Melbourne and looking into what it means to be Australian.

Possum Throwing vs. Possum Rescuing

Part 1:

“Pitt Street possum stops monorail”

http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/pitt-street-possum-stops-monorail-20100722-10lyw.html

Part 2:

“Possum-throwing at NZ school slammed”

Sydney Morning Herald – September 23rd

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/possumthrowing-at-nz-school-slammed-20100923-15nnf.html

Part 3:

The first article describes an event in which a Sydney monorail came to a halt when a possum that was injured by a car was rescued from a tree close to the rail. Onlookers gathered to watch the rescue operation and were quoted as calling the possum, named Kevin by his rescuers, “cute” and “adorable.” In New Zealand, where possums are invasive pests that squeeze out native species, it’s more likely that the driver of the monorail would back up to make sure it was a goner (or so they would joke…). One article I read in a paper while in New Zealand was an editorial by a woman expressing her horror as her Australian friends started cooing when a possum became an unexpected picnic guest. The second article describes an incident in which a dead possum throwing contest was held for fun at a school in New Zealand, to the outrage of the SPCA. I really enjoy the contrast between the treatment of possums in each of these countries. The discrepancies demonstrate how much both nations value their native wildlife. Possums are a protected species in Australia, whereas in New Zealand they are poisoned like rats. I have to say, Australian possums are a heck of a lot cuter than the ones that we have in America. I met an Aussie possum in a cemetery (pics on facebook haha) – and I named him Martin. I respect that the Kiwis have a lot to defend, but I will be glad to not be obligated to despise them while in Aus.

Carbon Price Controversy

Part 1:

“Tony Abbott to lead 'party of ideas'”

By Samantha Maiden – September 22^nd 2010

http://www.thegreenpages.com.au/index.asp?page_id=1132

Part 2:

“Gillard Says Australia Needs Price on Carbon to Achieve Emission Targets”

By Elisabeth Behrmann - Sep 25, 2010

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-25/gillard-says-need-for-price-on-carbon-to-meet-emission-cut-goals.html

Background:

PM Julia Gillard leading a committee that is looking to introduce a carbon tax in Australia, where eighty percent of electricity production comes from burning coal (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-27/gillard-led-committee-to-study-australia-carbon-price.html). This tax, which will be about $25 per ton of coal (twice that of the United States) (http://www.thegreenpages.com.au/index.asp?page_id=1132), will act as an incentive to people and businesses to reduce their energy consumption, and thus reduce overall emissions.

Part 3:

The first article iterates MP Tony Abbott’s stance against a carbon price. He is concerned with the impact that the tax will have on people’s cost of living and the cost of running a business. The second article addresses recent statements by Julia Gillard about her stance advocating a carbon price as opposed to the emissions trading scheme plan that was previously in place. Gillard says that a price on carbon emissions in Australia is necessary in order to meet the nation's goal of reducing carbon emissions by five percent by 2020. These articles demonstrate the ubiquitous balancing act needed to support both domestic and global interests. In light of the tensions demonstrated in these articles, I am interested in looking into what Australia is doing to provide alternative sources of energy. If sustainable alternatives are used (is the vastness suitable for windfarms?), or there is a campaign that successfully motivates Australians to use less energy, would a tax increase still be necessary?