From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 24 April

Political allegiance notwithstanding, the vicious personal attacks on the nature of the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, do nothing to advance the Nation’s narrative.

SETTING aside Mr Morrison’s political ineptitude; his insensitivity; his propensity for playing fast-and-loose with the truth; his failure to meet the challenges of office; and his determination to bring his right-wing religiosity into the political arena, the public excoriation – however accurate – of his personal foibles, those genetic traits which make-up his character, is cause for contemplation.

The personal demonisation of politicians is counterproductive. It has the potential to fracture our fragile democracy.  It behoves us all to maintain an unemotional perspective, wherever possible.

For those who have been in a position of leadership – in whichever chosen area of endeavour – close examination of past antics through the prism of 2022 might not reflect as generously as one would hope. As anyone who has been forced to make serious decisions will attest, it takes a degree of courage to back your judgement when there is the looming prospect of public failure.

Too often, and regrettably, those who are subjected to disproportionate workplace ruthlessness surrender their argument, allowing opposition victory. Someone else’s success in hard-nose negotiations is not necessarily the consequence of bullying. Some characters fight dirty! It is too psychologically simplistic to categorise strident, antisocial, boorish, determined behaviour as the rantings of a domineering bully.

It is difficult to imagine that the late Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, possessed as he was of a ferocious intelligence, did not use his superior, intellectual advantage to achieve his purpose. It would not be fantasy to contend he had little time for fools. Mr Hawke was not beyond belittling any journalist dopey enough to proffer a time-wasting question. Does his determination to have things done his way make him, by definition, a bully? Not necessarily.

We are, all of us, complex creatures, and different from each other. While Mr Morrison’s personality and qualities are not to everyone’s liking, that does not, of itself, make him a bully. While his seeming propensity for being forceful, disagreeable, determined, threatening, and incapable of compromise may prove most disquieting, it should not, necessarily, be deemed intimidating. It should be remembered there are those who find Mr Morrison most agreeable, including his family.

The imperative delineation between personality and unpalatable, political modus operandi is a delicate balance, but must be, like the executive powers, kept separate and apart.

There is a simple solution to our political dilemma; an obvious alternative. Let your vote speak for you on election day!

Considered philosophical argument is one thing, but platitudinous chatter does more harm than good.

Too often, our elected representatives, supported as they are by a phalanx of press representatives, talk a lot and say absolutely nothing. When you take time to read and analysis their public utterances you come realise it is nothing more than a whole lot of noisy chatter; a stream of consciousness which does little to clarify the problem, but manages to get their name in print.

Life is difficult. We live in an increasingly dysfunctional society. Social mores, family structure, and employment security have altered radically, exacerbated by technology, and more recently, the COVID pandemic. Like the spawning salmon, people are struggling to survive. For many, the simple task of facing each day is truly overwhelming.

Serious societal issues, particularly the health and well-being of children aged under 12, deserve more consideration than a repetitive chat to a newspaper journalist!

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald on Monday at 10.45am on 3BA and contacted via [email protected].