Damascus Road
Things not going so well? Seemingly every single poll predicting ALP defeat? Anti-immigrant fear mongering less popular than in previous election cycles?
You may want to consider reconciliation!
Speaking [11 October] to the Sydney Institute, [Prime Minister Howard] indicated he now accepted that the symbolic side of [Aboriginal] reconciliation — which he previously rejected — was important, along with the practical side of reconciliation.
It’s incredible timing - what with the PM’s return to Canberra tonight indicating that he’ll likely call the election tomorrow. It’s almost as if the PM’s new-found feelings toward the indigenous population are cynically timed to coincide with the election. But don’t take it from me:
Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser said whatever Mr Howard did now was election driven, because he was desperate. He said a referendum would not do anything unless it was accompanied by a 20-year commitment on health, education and housing.
Luckily, Mr Howard knows how to spin it both ways:
“There have been low points when dialogue between me as Prime Minister and many indigenous leaders dwindled almost to the point of non-existence. I fully accept my share of the blame for that.”[...]
“I have always acknowledged the past mistreatment of Aboriginal people and have frequently said that the treatment of indigenous Australians represents the most blemished chapter in the history of this country.
So while indigenous relations have been poor, mistreatment is just history and not, say, policy of the Howard government.
“Some will no doubt want to portray my remarks tonight as a form of Damascus Road conversion. In reality, they are little more than an affirmation of well-worn liberal conservative ideas,” he said.
I don’t think there’s many who would confuse John Howard with Paul. The road to Damascus wasn’t to the polling booth.
Links:
Howard’s 11th-hour rethink on reconciliation [The Age]
10 Ministers Face Wipeout: Poll Warning [The Age]
Community’s Anger Spills Over [The Age]
The Aboriginal Intervention Policy Isn’t Working [The Age]
