Here, in my small part of the electorate of Flynn, I keep hearing a version of the same thing, basically, ‘They’re all corrupt!’
The general consensus is, ‘Nobody in Canberra really gives a toss about us.’
There’s a lot of frustration, and exhaustion, behind comments like this.
And that’s a worry.
When people stop caring, paying attention or being actively involved in the political system, then things usually take a turn for the worst.
I learned this years ago as a union delegate; when workers stop caring or simply turn up to work and ‘phone it in’, the management team don’t suddenly become more caring, sharing or responsible.
Quite the opposite in fact.
And right now, in the shopping centres, at the cafe’, in the pub, on the sidelines, I’m having the same conversations with people around the cost of living, lack of housing (thanks to too many migrants) and machete wielding migrant gangs running wild through our suburbs (well, currently in Melbourne, but it’s only a matter of time before they’re here too; apparently).
And another topic turned up this week, and it’s a biggie around here, how the government wants to access our superannuation and spend it like a bunch of drunken sailors on shore leave.
I haven’t seen anything about this particular topic in my feeds, but it’s popped up in several conversations in the past few days. Apparently, guests on Sky and Karl Stefanovic’s show are parroting the line.
For those people who still care, there is a visceral hatred of ‘Albanese’. Twice I heard how he sold his rental homes before the capital gains tax changes so he wouldn’t get royally screwed. I have no idea how true this is. Again, I’m not watching the same news these people are, but it’s landing, getting traction and proof that the current political system is rigged against them.
These few, who still care enough to rage at the alleged injustices, are actively looking for a party who will champion them, the little Aussie battlers. And their eyes and ears are turning, not toward the Greens, but the many right-wing parties like One Nation, People First, Katter, UAP and others.
The parties with simple solutions to complex problems.
‘Here are the real villains! Vote for us! We’ll fix everything! You can stop worrying! You’ll be able to stop thinking about politics altogether!’
Hell, even I think that’s attractive! I’d love to think less about politics each day. And, right now, I reckon the majority of the people in my electorate are currently sitting in that place; not uncaring, but disillusioned and increasingly disengaged.
And, those in power, on both sides of the political fence, don’t exactly suffer when people stop paying attention. I’m certain they don’t want educated, motivated voters holding them to account. Lately we’ve seen some of them even remove journalists from public meetings to avoid scrutiny.
They actually benefit when people simply shrug, announce ‘It’s all too hard’ and walk away, then turn up at election time and hold their noses to vote for the lesser of several evils.
If I’ve learned nothing else from being a union delegate, this never ends well.
Cheers from Flynn.