The Institute of Public Affairs has released a report titled, ‘The Fair Go – Going, Gone', dealing with a "nearly 30 percent" decline of the Australian way of life, in less than a generation (2000 to 2020).

The IPA's Director, John Roskam, says:

" .... our political and cultural institutions have abandoned the values that made our country great". "In place of values like freedom, equality, and democracy, we now increasingly have censorship, identity politics, and the sway of unelected bureaucrats.”

Elites are pushing divisive and alien ideologies onto mainstream Australians who are without a voice and without institutional power.

The scoreboard shows that there has been 28.5% decline since 2000 in 23 of the 25 relevant measures.

The decline is in the areas of home, work, enterprise, governance and lifestyle.

Everything is worse than it was 20 years ago. Australians are not living as well as before. There is probably nothing in this report that has not been sensed by thinking, experienced Australians who have been around since the end of World War 11.

There is a tendency, in Australia, towards technocracy and a "strong impetus to defer to experts". This rebalancing of power towards bureaucrats could be a reflexive response to the decline in our way of life. Almost nothing the political class has done in the last 20 years, especially the last 10, has been aimed at bolstering the Australian way of life. Politicians are opting out; evading their responsibilities. But, Individuals could be as much to blame as governments.

The Australian way of life has been neglected and taken for granted. Anyone doubting this can find the 58 page report at ipa.org.au.

Well, from my perspective, I reckon life has never been better.

having said that, I am employed, have a 12 year old daughter, play sport, and watch more television from around the world as never before.

At the end of the day, John Roskam offers his opinion. That is all.

Chris,

How old are you? Old enough to remember what I remember? I'm in my 78th. year, and I assure that things were much better - unless you are hooked on materialism.

With due respect to some of the arguments of the centre-right, if they had their way I suspect life for many ordinary Australians would be far worse given the IR and tax reform they generally support.

The IPA offers a biased centre-right perspective on many matters, as does the centre-left.

The pragmatic balance/outcomes is reflected by both parties generally supporting the middle ground to win elections, merely tinkering at the edges when in power to meet some of their aims.

ttbn,

I only offer my opinion.

what I remember has shaped my opinion.

I remember homosexuality being illegal, something I could never understand.

I remember being harassed by police for no reason.

I remember Australia being far less tolerant to non-Anglo celts.

I remember a much more boring sport context, mainly AFL and cricket.

I remember, as a ward of the state, being powerless against govt appointed guardians who were corrupt and abusive.

I remember Australians being rather ignorant about environmental issues.

Yes, there were some good things about the past, but overall I reckon today is better.

Chris Lewis,

I remember not being Asian.