2023 - The State of Australia - not too good.
Australia has been travelling in the wrong direction if we wish to be a safe, secure, fair democracy of political equals. But in 2024 we can begin reversing this.
2023 has been a year of setbacks for Australia. If we consider things like:
the loss of sovereignty because of defence policies under AUKUS,
the loss of an opportunity for reconciliation with the dispossessed first Australians who still suffer substantial disadvantage,
continuing loss of biodiversity,
continuing failure to take enough steps to mitigate climate change,
failure to take a principled stand on the international stage for human rights for all,
continued pursuit and punishment of whistleblowers who disclose truth about corrupt and criminal behaviour by the state and its agents,
continued approvals for polluting activities like coal mining and fracking, and
continued private sector corruption and mistreatment of the public (eg., PwC scandal, QANTAS).
It’s hard to find a positive story about 2023. Almost every direction we have taken has reduced Australia’s chances of becoming a safe and secure democratic nation of political equals.
But all is not lost. Australia is still enough of a democracy to begin turning things around. We simply need to organise ourselves to express what we want to become as a nation. And we need to make those we elect understand and commit to this. This is not beyond the capacity of Australians.
In 2024 Australian Community Futures Planning will continue to help Australians organise themselves to turn things around in their country and democracy. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this little home-made rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Looking for some uplifting holiday reading?
The People’s Constitution by Bronwyn Kelly offers many positive ideas for a better Australia - one in which Australians have a reasonable share of rightful power in their democracy and can take much greater control over their future.
Find The People’s Constitution: the path to empowerment of Australians in a 21st democracy at the Australian Community Futures Planning website at https://www.austcfp.com.au/publications
Or listen to the audio version of The People’s Constitution on Apple podcast here.
Find out all about ACFP
Become involved in building plans for a better Australia here.
The last time I was hopeful for Australia's future was when Rudd was still on the scene. I often feel we have one of the most apathetic, least informed populations in the english-speaking world.
Hi Bronwyn, Best wishes to you and your family, and sincere thanks for your consistently authentic efforts on behalf of Australians and those who are affected by our actions. Looking forward to incremental but prodigious changes in 2024.