Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has declared at the Sydney Writers' Festival that Australia is 'a good country, not a bad country,' but his new book 'Australia: A History' presents a highly selective and contentious view of the nation's past.
A Call to Arms in the Culture Wars
Abbott urged the audience to 'go forth in search of dragons to destroy,' a metaphor he used to justify Australian military intervention abroad, but which critics say reflects his ongoing battle against environmentalism, multiculturalism, and Indigenous recognition. His talk, which allowed no questions, struck familiar notes: support for Donald Trump's Iran policy, praise for Australia's 'core Anglo-Celtic culture' and 'Judeo-Christian ethic,' and scepticism of multiculturalism.
A Narrow Historical Lens
Abbott's book champions a 'great man' theory of history, crediting figures like Alexander the Great and Napoleon for shaping events, while downplaying structural forces. He rejects the term 'First Nations' and celebrates the defeat of the Voice referendum, claiming it would foster racial division. Yet he simultaneously describes Australia as 'colourblind,' a contradiction critics say reveals a privileged perspective.
Abbott's selective focus ignores the role of state governments and glosses over Indigenous dispossession, with the word 'genocide' appearing only in an endnote. His climate change scepticism is also evident, as he dismisses the idea that 'the science is settled.'
Internal Contradictions
Abbott criticises Indigenous acknowledgements of country as 'separatism,' but makes an exception for remote communities like Hermannsburg, where he acknowledges Warlpiri or Arrernte lands. In suburban Forestville, however, he declares it 'Tony Abbott country.' He also argues that Australia is 'colourblind,' yet complains that recent migrants have not embraced 'team Australia' values, warning that 'record migration without discrimination on values' could undermine the nation's Anglo-Celtic culture.
As Donald Horne originally wrote, Australia is 'a lucky country run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck.' Abbott's inability to confront uncomfortable truths about the past, critics argue, is a missed opportunity for genuine national reflection.
