Former Deputy Prime Minister and National Party leader John Anderson is one of the visionaries behind the global Alliance for Responsible Citizenship — and its Australian offshoot called Aspire.
He stresses Aspire is not a religious or political group — but it seeks to regain the country’s lost Judeo-Christian foundations and values to secure its future.
He told Vision Radio that the current fuel crisis has highlighted that Australia is not in a good place.
Late last month, 700 civic business and community leaders joined with researchers and international delegates at the Aspire conference.
“WE ARE TRYING TO MIX NATION’S ELDERS WITH TOMORROW’S LEADERS”
It was by invitation only with 200 of the participants under 30.
John Anderson explained to Vision Radio: “A big part of what we were trying to do was to mix the nation’s elders with tomorrow’s emerging leaders.”
“Because we haven’t been doing enough of that. We haven’t passed on our story in Australia.”
THE CURRENT STATE OF AUSTRALIA
This is the scenario Aspire is seeking to address:
- Our freedoms are evaporating.
- Our confidence in politicians is at rock bottom.
- Families and communities are facing strain.
- Economic pressures are mounting.
- Energy insecurity is threatening our prosperity.
- Global instability is testing our alliances.
John Anderson observed: “Suddenly Australia’s chickens are coming home to roost.”
“There is far more to this fuel crisis in terms of what it tells us about our national psyche than meets the eye.”
“We are not in a good place.”
“We’re a young, vibrant country. We ought to be in a much better place, and we can be,” he optimistically forecast.
WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF ASPIRE?
“Aspire provides the moral and intellectual leadership we need in these challenging times,” declared Mr. Anderson.
“We’re not a church. Although there were many, many believers in the audience at the conference.”
“We’re not a political party. but we do seek to inform politicians.”
“What we have to say to them is very important.”
WHY HAVE WE DESERTED THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ETHOS THAT SHAPED US?”
“Whether we’re a believer or not, we need to better understand why it is that our desertion of the things that shaped us are now threatening us so much,” the Aspire founder continued.
“The things that shaped us were overwhelmingly drawn from the Judeo-Christian ethos. I think rule of law.”
Mr Anderson singled out Australia’s energy policy.
“Energy expert Steve Koonin was part of the Obama administration.”
“As one of the best-informed scientists in the world, he told the Aspire conference what we’re trying to do with our energy transition is nuts.”
“It’s not going to work, it’s not gonna change anything, but it is going to dramatically reduce your living standards and your ability to cope with a changing world”
“He’s not from the conservative side of politics, but he’s a clear thinker and he addresses policy issues.”
THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT AUSTRALIA ARE OUR PROBLEM
“The very things we love about Australia in some ways are our problem.”
“We’re an irreverent people. We’ve got a larrikin spirit. We’re laid back. We hate hierarchies. And we’re pretty sceptical about people who think they’re important. And that’s part of our character.”
“The long shadow they throw though, is complacency. She’ll be right mate, it’s always worked out in the past.”
“This time it isn’t going to.”
FIRST BROAD THEME: WE NO LONGER BELIEVE IN OURSELVES
John Anderson listed five broad themes that need addressing urgently.
“One: We no longer believe in ourselves. That’s fundamental and foundational.”
“I’m afraid it shows up in what our kids are being taught, that we’re a bad culture, we’re not a free culture, we’re not a democratic culture.”
“Young people don’t particularly believe in Australia. They’re not patriotic at all. And they wonder about the value of democracy.”
SECOND THEME: OUR SOCIAL FABRIC IS FRAYING
“The second major challenge is our social fabric is fraying badly.”
“The best of the young people who attended our conference are outstanding. They want to be heroes and lead us out of this mess.”
“But we know that overall their generation is inward-looking, depressed, anxious, beset by mental health problems, very aware of our collapsing living standards and becoming very angry that they don’t think they’ll ever afford a home.”
ECONOMICS, ENERGY AND DEFENCE IN DECLINE
“We are baking in economic decline. When the Howard-Costello coalition left government just over 18 years ago, Australia had net worth.”
“We don’t have any net worth now. All we have is eye-watering debt,” lamented Mr. Anderson.
“We’re getting the energy mix wrong and that is driving our living standards down.”
“And we’re not prepared to defend the country.”
“We’re frighteningly underprepared right now. Even if we wanted to join with the Americans, it’s quite obvious we can’t send a ship to the Middle East.”
“Australia’s never been in that situation before. Unbelievable.”
COMPLACENCY IS PLACING THE NATION IN DANGER
John Anderson warned Vision Radio listeners: “Our national complacency is now placing our nation in danger. It is appalling that we are in this situation.”
“About 35 countries signed up to the International Energy Agency after the oil shocks of the 70s.”
“Every one committed to holding 90 days of supply in reserve.”
“We’re now told, we’ve got about 35 days in reserve. Quite a bit on ships that haven’t yet docked in Australia.”
“China and New Zealand have well over 90 days. Little Denmark’s got 600 days.”
“BOTH SIDES OF POLITICS HAVE ABYSMALLY FAILED US”
“This is a nation that’s been living in la-la land. Both sides of politics have abysmally failed us.”
“I’m a farmer. We can’t secure the diesel and fertiliser that we need to grow this year’s crop.”
“What if next time our sea routes are actually cut to the north and other countries won’t send ships to Australia?” asked the former Deputy PM.
“THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS NOT IMAGINED AND IT’S GETTING WORSE”
“You want to know that politicians are doing the job to make sure that we can feed ourselves and get our groceries in place and our medical supplies in place.”
“And we have enough oil for our ships and planes if they’re needed.”
“That should be the number one issue.”
“We have the fastest declining living standards in the OECD.”
“The cost of living crisis is not imagined and it’s been getting worse and this [oil crisis] will accelerate it.
“If we don’t resolve this issue, we will bake in our long-term economic decline.”
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