Viewing Australian politics from the distant shores of northern Japan, columnist John Hanscombe found the headlines from home to be a surreal blend of the ridiculous and revealing. In a single news cycle, the absurd theatre of federal politics laid bare both the robust fortune and peculiar misfortune of the nation's democracy.
The Senate Stunt and Democratic Dichotomy
The spectacle that captured attention involved Senator Pauline Hanson once again donning a burqa in the Senate chamber, a move that led to her suspension. Hanscombe observed the paradox this act highlighted: the good fortune that Australian democracy is open to individuals from all backgrounds, contrasted sharply with the misfortune that a figure he describes as "shrill, narrow-minded and poorly educated" can amass enough votes to reach Parliament and use her platform to promote division.
The event underscored a peculiar state of national affairs. It is a sign of a well-functioning polity that such a recycled theatrical gesture can dominate headlines, suggesting a lack of more pressing crises. Yet, it is equally unfortunate that a quiet political period at the tail end of the year means the public is subjected to more of this brand of politics than might be considered healthy.
A Cringe-Worthy Political Courtship
The political theatre, however, was not confined to the Senate. Hanscombe's report also turned to Barnaby Joyce's much-scrutinised meeting with the One Nation leader. The former deputy prime minister's courtship of Hanson was depicted as an awkward affair, complete with a sandwich press steak and a conspicuously large container of Saxa salt on the table, reminiscent of a suburban takeaway.
In a telling detail, Hanscombe notes that the Saxa salt garnered more analytical attention than the substantive issue: that a former deputy PM was flirting with the political ideology of One Nation. From his vantage point near geopolitical flashpoints like North Korea and Russia, the intense focus on such domestic trivialities felt like peeking into a distant vaudeville show.
Reactions and Broader Headlines
The fallout from these events has been telling. The National Party is reportedly privately relieved about Joyce's departure from its leadership, while Victoria might be celebrating Hanson's declaration at a poorly attended anti-immigration rally that she could never move to such a multicultural state.
This foray into the day's political news was brief for Hanscombe, provoking both a chuckle and a groan. It served as a stark reminder of what he perceives as the gauche and unsophisticated conduct of some Australian politicians. The experience prompted him to turn away from his smartphone and towards the more rewarding task of photographing the majestic scenery around him in Japan.
Other national news briefly noted in the report includes the impending debate in Tasmania's upper house over a contentious $1.13 billion stadium in Hobart, criticism of Labor for allowing ministerial discretion in public sector appointments, and a warning about creative online scams targeting Christmas shoppers.
