As the date for an impending Federal election draws near, potential voters would be looking forward to expressing their political opinions. That voting is compulsory is not lost among Australians – it would be impractical to ‘cop a fine’ as the phrase goes, because one cannot be bothered to vote. After all, both the Coalition and the Labour Party have promised many incentives, monetary or otherwise, in return for a vote in their favour.
An interesting development has come about the past week about increasing political involvement among the general population. National channel Seven has introduced a plan to encourage independent candidates to stand for election in the Senate during the coming elections. If successful, Seven would sponsor five or six independent Senators, one from each state, through a six-year term in office. While it would be antithetical for Singapore to embark on such an ambitious proposal, such determination to encourage non-partisan political involvement deserves to be lauded.
It is perhaps debatable that the First World War spawned nationalism for Australia, as opposed to the almost fanatical loyalty to the Crown. While the loss of life in the wars fought in the twentieth century would have undoubtedly brought the Australian psyche from childhood idolisation towards adulthood scepticism, it is perhaps heartening to note that the populace are similarly unimpressed by opinion polls, government propaganda and rock star hyperbole. Of great significance is the muted level of discussion of creating an Australian republic – cynics may claim a lack of courage on the part of political parties; perhaps it is due more to a mark of respect to the generation of baby-boomers, who still have strong emotional ties to the Queen and motherland.
This week past witnessed the passing of an Australian icon. He is not someone who is unduly famous or notorious, nor is he someone who led the country in the political arena. Here is a man who kept a low profile most of the time, except for annual celebrations of his contribution of the Australian psyche. Indeed, Ted Smout passes on the spirit of the diggers, aged 106, unto the next generation.
A true blue Anzac veteran, who has been witness to two World Wars, Smout has inspired thousands to stand up and make a difference to both self and country. Like many contemporaries, he put himself in the line of fire, artillery and chemical gas, to protect the land in which he was born. That he was young was no barrier; nationalism in its true sense of self-determination was born.
To transcend politics, economics and philosophical arguments about wrong or right may seem distant to the vast majority. Ted Smout has shown that it does not require a special skill or technique. His example as earned him more than the many military honours that has been bestowed upon him since the end of the Second World War. An ordinary man, undertaking extraordinary tasks, surviving through loss of thousands just like him, takes his rightful place in the hearts of all who have been blessed to hear his voice or to watch him on television. He will be missed, yet the inspiration of his humble example will continue to be a guide to the determined pursuit of a better future for al of mankind.
