#6 The Fear-of-God and the Aussie “fair go”
Filed on 12 May 2019 in Food For Thought category. 
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#6 The Fear-of-God and the Aussie “fair go”.
To be given a “fair crack o’the whip” – to be given a chance; to have a fair go – has been a part of our national identity and heritage and is now, once again, being promoted as a political slogan.
What does it mean and which policies should we regard as being important for a fair go? Which “fair entitlements” are currently under threat.
What do we want and cherish most?
A fair wage for a fair day’s work? Equal opportunity for education?
We tend to take for granted the right to have food in our tummy and clothes and personal safety. Yes, all these things are important and we know that some miss out, even in this “the lucky country”.
Freedom to vote in secret. Perhaps at a more basic level, freedom to barrack loudly for your favourite footy team or player without fear of being labelled.
So yes, freedom to be, freedom to live. Freedom to speak, to believe, to think, to debate, to choose, to express an opinion.
Further, freedom from class distinction, freedom to do well with minimal interference from government intervention or micro-management or taxes crippling enterprise.
In summary, I suggest, the Aussie “fair go” means the freedom to
- express our beliefs and values
- bring up our children in families that facilitate sharing of these beliefs and values
- join together with like-minded people who share these beliefs and values in mutual association
- set up educational facilities consistent with these beliefs and values and the liberty to exclude influences that are contrary
- state these liberties without fear of accusation of intolerance or hate-speech
These freedoms should sound familiar to all with even the slightest smattering of necessary history.
1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
These values, these freedoms are at risk with many of the policies being promoted at this election time – paradoxically by those shouting loudest about the fair go.
