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(Continued …)

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« So that leaves Western Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as mature, functioning democracies. Mexico, South Africa and South Korea are more recent additions to the fold. If any of these slides into autocracy, global democracy will be sidelined even further.

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At present, Australians take for granted that democracy will remain a force in the world. But we are like the frog in a boiling pot – unaware before it’s too late. The risk is that our major allies’ democratic commitment is fading, leaving fewer voices to champion rule of law and universal human rights. We see this fading commitment when the United States sanctions officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigating war crimes in Afghanistan, or Britain’s government seeks to prorogue Parliament in defiance of its courts.

Currently, Australia is walking a fine line, observing some democratic norms and ignoring others. Internationally, we’ve been true to our values by suggesting safe havens for Hong Kong residents fleeing Beijing’s crackdown. On the other hand, we’ve tried to prevent the ICC investigating war crimes in Palestine. We’ve largely maintained free and fair elections and judicial independence, but when the prosecutorial pursuit of a journalist is more vigorous than, say, a Cabinet Minister, we should heed the warning signs. Democracy is in a fragile state – don’t take it for granted »

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don’t take it for granted
Banjo Paterson,
Perhaps COVID-19 will eventually help in that regard ? I know that a National Service definitely would !

Dear Banjo Paterson,

I think separation of state and religion are necessary for democracy. Neither state nor religion should use each other to advance its agenda. Religion and religious schools should be financed solely by its communicants, and a public school system which may teach comparative religion in an objective fashion should be open to all. Chaplains should be available for prisoners, soldiers or others who are located by the government away from their homes, but that should be the limit of government involvement with religion. In addition to chaplains there should be non-religious councilors available. Businesses operated by religious entities should be subject to the same taxes and regulations as other businesses.

I regard the use of the military or police to remove a defeated occupant of the White House who refuses to leave as a democratic measure.

" ....I don't think troops should be sent into combat without a vote of the Australian public."

Only a formless Green could come up with something as nutty as that. The Australian public is barely able to get by without the government telling them what to do and providing them with handouts.

I don't think troops should be sent into combat without a vote of the Australian public.
david f,
How then do you propose defending Australia could be achieved when it's painfully obvious that the snowflakes would never lift a finger to help those who provide them with their existence ?
The majority aren'r smart & physically fit enough to contribute now let alone when the Nation needs defending !

Individual wrote:

David F, I don't think troops should be sent into combat without a vote of the Australian public.

david f,
"How then do you propose defending Australia could be achieved when it's painfully obvious that the snowflakes would never lift a finger to help those who provide them with their existence ?
The majority aren'r smart & physically fit enough to contribute now let alone when the Nation needs defending !"

Dear individual,

I propose defending Australia the way it is done now - by our armed forces. I think the Australian public should have a voice in whether those armed forces are employed.

Australia has been involved in many wars since federation - Second Boer War, Boxer Rebellion, WW1, Armenian–Azerbaijani War, WW2, Indonesian National Revolution, Korean War, Malay Emergency, Borneo Confrontation, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Operation Astute and the War on Isil. That adds up to 15 wars. With the exception of the Gulf War and the War on Isil, Australians have been killed in all the wars. I assume Australian forces have killed people in all the wars, but those who fight a war are usually better at keeping track of their own casualties than casualties on the other side. Those killed on either side are mourned.

In my view Australian participation in WW2, the Korean War, the Indonesian Confrontation, Operation Astute and the War on Isil were justified but not the other wars. Others will disagree with me. However, I think few, if any Australians, will examine the wars since Federation and contend they all were justified. If the Australian public had a voice in whether to be at war I believe Australia would not have been in so many wars.