The Statue and the Political Storm

I am usually confined to the corridors of power in the Australian Capital Territory, as it was decided decades ago that there needed to be a Territory established, between the large metropolises of Sydney and Melbourne. For the Prime Minister’s cabinet to be based adjacent to the old Parliament house. The old building which was used between 1927 and 1988. The current parliament house stands, as both a landmark and symbolic hub of Australian democracy. The building is white, with pillared windows sprawling out from its centre. The eye is drawn to a flag pole atop it’s centre, flying the Union Jack and Southern cross of the Australian flag. The building’s well-kept manicured lawns extend over its roof, making it accessible by foot. Any member of the public can walk over parliament house, symbolic of the power of the people over their government.

It was not in the house of Representatives; with its pale green chairs arranged in a half circle below the public gallery. Nor in the smaller but no less grand Senate chamber; with its dark red theme. It was in a small Victorian rural town, where the nation’s fate was being decided.    

There is an article in Monday’s paper, about something that happened over the weekend.

The Glenrowan Times read,

Australian Tradition, Re-writing History                                         September 7

Residents of Glenrowan and surrounds, awoke to shock and disgust. An offensive political slogan had been placed over the well-known Ned Kelly monument. It read, attack our traditions, and we’ll bite back. Don’t like it, get out!

Shock, Anger!

It is, as yet unclear who is behind it, residents are pointing the finger at the party leader of the Alternatives, Pauline Morgan. Morgan is a distant relative of Ned Kelly himself; her fiery red hair and bravado are matched by her temper. It comes at a crucial time for the government. The Moderates perceived lack of care, is driving their unpopularity among disenfranchised voters: which is driving support for The Alternatives.  

Continued page 6.

Red Kelly! At it Again!                                                                     September 9

That’s the name the media are calling Pauline Morgan.  After a large banner had been placed over the Ned Kelly monument, it has now been confirmed as Ms Morgan’s doing.

No Word yet from Prime Minister Julia Cowan                         

There has been no official word from her party The Moderates. Glenrowan as many know, was the site of Ned Kelly’s last stand against the police, in 1880. But it is also the site of a little known and acknowledged massacre of Indigenous Peoples. Which happened in 1780. There has been a widespread movement, in recent years, towards publicly acknowledging this. There has even been talk of taking down the Ned Kelly monument and replacing it, with an Indigenous one instead.

Pauline Morgan, in contrast to government policy, is against this.

Speaking outside a pub, in her electorate, Morgan had this to say,

“I meet people every day, who are struggling. They’re fed up! Will the Prime Minister reassure the public that our national identity won’t be swamped and buried in the name of ‘Equality?’ I’m Australian, I’m very proud of that.” Pressed if her stunt was offensive she said “No! I was making a point.”

The Alternatives are leading in the polls, a number of seats in the House of Representatives are under threat, while a number of Senate seats are also close races. Both parties have not yet released campaign pitches.       

As you’d well imagine, my phone is ringing off-the-hook. As I approach the parliamentary chambers, a large contingent of journalists and other media personnel await my arrival. 

“Prime Minister Cowan, there’s been discussion- “

“This morning’s talk-back radio-”

I stride directly at the waiting people, say nothing and walk through them. Some of the crowd disperses. I make a point of remaining tight-lipped around cameras, pandering to the media is giving them what they want. Simply remaining quiet does allow a semblance of control. Though I will stress some media communication is okay, if only to keep them at bay.  

As I step into the room I’m greeted by my front bench ministry. The cabinet room is a spacious room, with a circular, rectangle shaped table. Around are comfortable leather chairs, reserved for the front bench ministers of the sitting government. Of course, first issue up for discussion is the recent events over the weekend.

The Minister for Housing is the first to speak up.

“I just feel that our electoral prospects would be better served if we, as the government released a statement condemning Morgan and her ridiculous notions, her party- “

“I’m sorry? Minister for Housing? I believe I asked you for costings on your newly drafted rental agreement last week.” The Minister looks across, says something under his breath and then clears his throat.

“Ah, not yet ma’am, see we feel it is a council issue, to be taken up with the- “

“Good! Focus on that,” I respond.

The Minister for Multiculturalism speaks. “Cowardice, just plain cowardice, Cowan. I’ve been receiving phone calls from local media, the Indigenous Affairs Board has been asking, and you won’t even address it. Much less publicly condemn it, it makes us look bad, we’re fighting for re-election you know.”

I respond, “Nobody speaks to the press, no media. Anyone who does, will have no future, in any government I lead.”

You could hear a pin drop as my minsters are processing my words, everyone’s attention is on me now.

“But Prime Minister, I’m sure it would help ease some tension from Indigenous groups if you did make a statement,” another Minister says.

“Need I remind you, they are very aware of our position on this,” I answer. “Now, affordability and mortgage repayments are falling by the wayside. I believe there are many and varied factors at play. Julia Cowan continues the meeting, setting the agenda and controlling the discussion.   

At the end of the meeting, we get up and start heading for the exit: understandably there is a feeling of trepidation in the room. My phone pings, I look down. It is Bertie my loyal campaign manager. I first met Bertie by chance. I was out at a café, with one of my girlfriends, it was in a swing seat, we were in opposition. He recognised me from my party ads and introduced himself. We’d eventually got chatting over lattes; we’ve been working together ever since. He has a fantastic mind for strategy, as well as teaching me many lessons in dealing with the media. 

I skim the text. I can tell by the tone of the text that he’s freaking out. However, we’ve both been down this path many times.  We’ve had a professional-working relationship long enough where I can detect the panic in his words. I picture his face, sweaty brow, panic in his eyes, his tie slightly askew.

The text reads; just received your memo this morning, ARE YOU INSANE!......@#&%&@!!!  In the doorway, I start punching out a response.

“Thanks for that one Bert. I appreciate that you have always been very forthcoming with your opinions.” I hit send. Dots appear immediately, under my message, his response appears.

“My office, don’t delay!”

We are standing inside Bertie’s office. “Here, let me show you.” Berties walks over to a television set clicks the TV with the remote. He presses play on a VHS tape. There is a blue podium, it is empty. Then I walk to it and stand behind a microphone in the footage. I watch myself look down and arrange some notes. Flash photography is reflected on the wall behind me. This was a debate I had with Pauline Morgan, at a council by-election. It isn’t professionally shot, and the camera is shaking as it zooms-out, panning left and re-focusing on my opponent. I can see Morgan is striding up to the stage confidently; a bit of a snarl across her lips, but it is also the look of concentration. The edit on the video now switches to a different angle. Showing us from the side. In the footage, Pauline Morgan hunches down to look at me, aggressively grabbing my hand and shaking it.

“Oh, that’s a bit intimidating,” said Bert.

Physically, Morgan towers over me, I’m 165 centre-metres and she must be at least 174.   

“I knew she was going to do that, as she’d done it before, off camera.” The footage now shows a part of our debate.

“May I remind the Australian public that this is an opposition leader who-”

“I’m sorry but that doesn’t answer the question. Are you in favour of large numbers of immigration?”

“I think the Australian people will understand migrants are an important part of any economy.”

“Answer the question,” Pauline Morgan says. I can hear loud jeers from the crowd after this statement from Morgan. In the footage, a smirk crosses Morgan’s face, perhaps she feels the crowd is on her side. “I demand honesty.” The crowd cheers. “I will hold the government to account.”

Bertie abruptly switches off the television and faces me. I pause, as I stare at the now blank screen. 

“Yes, it is a concern,” I eventually say.  

“We’re nine weeks out from the election, that means we’ve got four weeks before campaign launch. Control the media, you control the agenda. Just put out a TV advert, and run it at the same time as newspaper and magazine adverts. Just explain your position, in a simple soundbite, direct and to-the-point.”

“Mmm. This is what I’m going to do,” I reply.