EMPIRE TIMES EDITION.49 ISSUE.05 > STUDENT_MAGAZINEFLINDERS_UNIVERSITY_ +> COUNTRY GIRLS ////////////// > IN DEFENCE OF //////////////// AMBER HEARD /////////////////// > WAGE THEFT OR ///////////// MODERN SLAVERY ///////////// > I’D HATE RELIGION TOO /
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTOFCOUNTRYISSUE5 Editors Jessica Rowe Tahlia Dilberovic Contributors Anonymous Bathroom Christian Jessica TullyTahliaSamanthaMarinellaRoweMarmoLongDilberovicTempleman Artists Anugrah Alex Paul Harry Kellaway Laura Thompson Md Rajiul Huda Dipto Paddy SamanthaMaddernLong Front Cover Harry Kellaway (Competition Winner) Back Cover Harry Kellaway Masthead Kienan McKay
What is ET? Empire Times is a publication of the Flinders University Student Association (FUSA). It is your student magazine. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editors, Flinders University, or Flinders University Student Association. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Empire Times articles and other information are up-to-date and as accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Empire Times Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein
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CONTENTS Editorial ...........3 Do Quit Your Day Job: why nobody wants to work these days ...........4 I’d Hate Religion Too ...........6 Interview with Anonymous Bathroom AChristian...........8Half-HeartedDefence of Amber Heard Photography...........10 Competition Gallery Wage...........12 e or Modern Slavery ...........20 21 and On e Run ...........23 Country Girls: do we have a warped sense of what is normal?...........28 Strong ...........30 Vox Pop ...........32 Four Political Oversimpli cations I...........36KnowMyself Only in Comparison to You Which...........43ETEditor are You?...........44 Political Correspondence ...........46
editorial
“Happy losing and go die to people who voted Liberal,” this is one of the many statements the eds saw splattered around social media on the night of the federal election. This is a dangerous example of polarity that pushes people further into their camps, alienating those with opposing views, without engaging in productive discourse and an analysis of motivation. The black and white view that young people seem to have adopted in regards to our two major parties is one of the reasons that inspired us to focus on the idea of polarity for our 5th issue. Inside you will fnd explorations of the role that black-and-white thinking has in our perception of ourselves and others. Country Girls asks if young people raised rurally have a warped sense of what is normal, and I know myself only in comparison to you talks about the tendancies we have to form our identity based on how we contrast to those closest to us. Also inside we present a break-down of some of the oversimplifcations in political discourse, stories of people forging ahead, and special Vox Pop interviews that ask students what they think about when in the face of confict and disagreements. In this issue we are curious about what makes you extremely mad or overjoyed, what has made you you, and how that is different for each and every one of us. Like the editors of past ET editions, we wish not to shy away from diffcult conversations, and while we continue to raise them within our Student Association we hope to do the same throughout our pages. Let’s hope that the spirit of ‘all for one and one for all’ seen on election night continues. We hope to meet you in all our differences, and stand together in our common goals. With love, Jess and Tahlia.
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Do Quit Your Day Job Why nobody wants to work these days
Having a work-life balance has long been a priority for workers but the global uncertainty and mortality that the COVID-19 pandemic blanketed the planet has pushed people into the existential realisation that maybe life is worth more than a 9-5, or any job for that matter. In Australia, 1 in 3 workers
Recently, myself and the rest of the Twitterverse heard Kim K’s best piece of advice for women wanting to get into business: get your f**king ass up and work. Earthshattering, I know. Regardless, it’s her follow up that intrigued me most – It seems like nobody wants to work these days. You need to surround yourself with people who want to work. In some ways, she’s not wrong – the US saw 47 million workers quit their jobs in 2021, an all-time high for the country, and Microsoft’s most recent Annual Report found that 41% of the global workforce is likely to consider leaving their current employer within the next year. It’s a phenomenon aptly titled The Great Resignation and the wave is slowly building in Australia as well. So why doesn’t anyone want to work anymore? And are the quitters onto something? by Tully Templeman 4 Jobs don’t work for people anymore 8 hours labour, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours rest. This was the 1850s blueprint for a healthy work life balance, but how possible is this today? Life is very different in the 21st century. The average Australian worker spends upwards of 48 minutes a day commuting, 13-30 hours a week on housework, and 6.13 hours doing unpaid overtime a week. With some quick maths, that 16 hours of R&R every workday dwindles to 12 or even less, depending on your circumstances. This, along with the digitalisation of work during the pandemic, has caused workers to experience burnout – the reason 40% of workers quit their jobs in 2021. Not only this, but the rising cost of living is also making the highest minimum wage Australia has ever had unliveable. Living in Adelaide on $772.60 per week or $40,175.2 ($35,858 after tax) a year, could leave people with just over $1,000 in overfow – given nothing in their life breaks down, needs replacing and they don’t have any medical needs. People want more out of life
Jobs used to be a beacon of fnancial and personal security, but the mass decrease of work due to something as unforeseeable and uncontrollable as the COVID-19 pandemic has led people to lose faith in the regular 9-5. Business owners and corporations might be thinking the same thing as Kim K – why does no one want to work anymore? With the increase in small businesses, side-hustles might be the start of an answer. Maybe work was never people’s issue – they’re just fnding security in something else more stable: themselves.
Bigger and better out there I remember being in my high school business studies class, hearing my teacher tell us that there were jobs that didn’t exist now, but could be our careers one day. The birth of online platform jobs and the rise in side-hustling part-time business owners has made people reconsider their income. The well-traversed route of earning a degree, working hard at your job, and saving up isn’t cutting it for people anymore - and why should it? There are pre-teens earning millions from sponsored Instagram posts, OnlyFans creators buying houses from feet pics, and creatives quitting their jobs to make artisanal jewellery from their bedroom. Another pandemic infuence – working from home. The global reach of social media and the internet means people can get themselves seen bigger and faster than ever before. The market is there, the platforms are free, and the return can be huge. With job uncertainty and dissatisfaction with 9-5, corporate work rising, it’s no wonder that the US saw its highest number of new business applications ever in 2021. But wait I thought nobody wanted to work anymore? Funny that since small business owners and entrepreneurs work typically upwards of 50 hours a week.
About the Author: Tully Templeman (she/they) is a Flinders Alumni, with degrees in Screen Production and Creative Writing. She loves creative non-fction, inclusive storytelling, and any reason to dance. They are currently a Producer on Channel 44’s Couch 44, a youth talk show all about platforming Adelaide’s culture and people. 5 have cited a lack of meaning and the impact on their mental health as reasons to quit their jobs. Reduced or no work hours and the shift to working from home has given people more time to explore other aspects of their life, resulting in a yearning for more fulflling work – even if that means earning less money. With the rise of social media, for better or worse, we are now fully aware of the successes of others. This can foster feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, but I won’t deny that a motivational quote here and a TikTok star’s jet setting story there doesn’t make me look around at life a little more. The uncertainty and upheaval that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the world widened the cracks in the already broken system, but it seems that people have found the light peeping through and they want to live in it.
IWouldHateReligion Too: AResponsetoIHateReligion 6
‘submission’ in this context is a military term and refers to the purposeful, willing and intentional or consensual submission to put full trust in the husband to lead and make decisions that bene t the whole family. In the following sentences, men are commanded to submit to Christ and to “love” their wife. Women are not called to submit to men, but only their husbands. This is something the wife choses to do, not something that is done to her. You still may not like what that means, but it certainly cannot be called ‘oppressive’.
You may have read in one of the latest editions of the Empire Times (vol.49, no.3) the I Hate Religion piece. Seemingly, what sparked the author’s inspiration for the piece was mentioned as the Christian “propaganda posters” that have been put up around Bedford Campus. Well, I’m the person who makes and puts up those posters.
Every verse can be explained reasonably in this way when a concerned person may bring up their perceived oppression in the Bible. But I’d actually argue that this is beside the point of the I Hate Religion author. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what problems the author has with religion because their problem isn’t about the oppression of women or the patriarchy. Their problem, as is for all of us, including me, lies within sin. Jesus taught us that (John 8:31-38).
To the I Hate Religion author directly: You come from a world view that says the universe was an improbable accident and that humans only have as much value as the current societal construct allows (which I think most would agree that in today’s messy world is very low). I believe in a world view that says, regardless of the social context, every single human being (man, women, black, white, brown, trans, gay, whatever) is more valuable than the world could possibly ever say.
Simply for being made, you are an image bearer of God and that makes you unique, beautiful, valuable, worthy, loved and enough just as you are. I chose to follow Christ two years ago and I don’t know of the religion which you speak of in I Hate Religion either. I submit my life to serving the one who died for me even when I rejected him (Roman 5:8) and who’s love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34).
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Let’s just say, I get my fair share of impolite and angry responders to my posters. Yet, I don’t blame people for feeling this way. If I had the view of religion, and especially Christianity, that the author of I Hate Religion does, I’d feel just as outraged. I don’t want to be “oppressed” as much as the next person. Ironically, and not of their own fault, I Hate Religion was nothing short of a Christian’s fantasy - I couldn’t have written that piece better myself. It said all the right points and used all the correct language. Bravo! On point! However, I think it reveals to us something deeper; many people opposed to Christianity nd themselves angry at things that don’t actually exist and argue from typical misconceptions. Being a woman myself, the belief that Christianity oppresses women particularly fascinates me. The Old Testament is descriptive. The New Testament is prescriptive. Meaning, the Old Testament describes of God’s speci c covenant, for a speci c time in history, for a speci c group of “chosen people” (the Jews) who couldn’t keep the covenant pure, who had to sacri ce unblemished lambs to atone for disobeying God’s law (in other words, they sinned). The New Testament is the story of how Jesus was God in the esh, was perfect and unblemished of sin and so chose to be the ultimate sacri ce to atone for the whole world’s sins for all time. That includes you. Now, whoever believes in Jesus will have the gift of eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus also told us how to live in a close relationship with God while on Earth and some of it concerns how men act towards women and women act towards men, it’s Buttrue.notone person can point out to me a verse that permits the oppression of women by menWhat about that verse which says women must “submit” to their husbands? Ephesians 5:22? Colossians 3:18? 1 Peter 3:1-6? You may be able to quote the Bible, but can you tell me what it Inmeans?Greek
Words by Anonymous Bathroom Christian
I Hate Religion was really quite interesting and revealing of the author’s true heart as of that exact moment - I do nd it a weird way to say that one rejects Christ by insulting others for their intelligence - but I can’t x their personal frustrations towards God which seems to have hold of their tongue. That’s God’s business.
I go by Anonymous Bathroom Christian (the name proudly bestowed upon me by an upset uni bathroom user who typed up a response to my posters… if that was you and you’re reading this, I’d like to ask when I’ll get my follow up…).
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Some people simply don’t want to think about religion while peeing – do you think your methods might be a bit invasive? I’m aware that people don’t want to think about religion while peeing because most people don’t want to think about religion ever. It’s the honest self-refection that comes with following Christ that I think people fear. As Christians, we have to admit how sinful and wrong we are and look at all the hurtful things we’ve done in our lives when we commit to Christ. That’s not to say it’s easy to do. I think, understandably and naturally, people don’t want to feel like they’ve done wrong or that what they love is wrong. I was scared of the horror that was my own life too. But this is the beauty of Christ; despite our wrong-doings, He can use them for good. We need only to repent of our sins, trust in Him and Jesus will help us to change our behaviour to that which is good, more righteous, more benefcial, more effective, positive and bares more fruit. He wants to do this because He loves us. He doesn’t want us to live in darkness, but turn to him who is the light. We’re all about campus culture here at ET, so we were pretty delighted to hear from you. Do you think that having people like yourself, who serve a specifc function and become almost a ‘character’ in students minds help to build a sense of community amongst students? Community, sure. Of what kind, I’m not sure. I do think this interview will help people understand the bigger picture to what I do and of the types of people that make up the Flinders community. I’d hope that I wouldn’t become a ‘character’ in people’s minds, though. I think that being thought of a ‘character’ takes away the human aspect of what I do and why I do it. I understand what I put up is not delighted by all, but my posters aren’t for those who disagree with me. They are for those who watch on the interaction between myself and the disagreers. These people are the ones who learn the most from my posters. This is what builds community. So those who like writing on my posters, keep it coming! I truly appreciate and enjoy what you have to say. Being able to have my voice amplifed in the Empire Times builds community too. It is honestly beyond what I thought possible in my life. I wanted to formally say thank you very much for the opportunity.
When I came to uni two years ago, I could see this to be the case. I noticed how everyone was concerned about developing their career, but not necessarily their character. The reason I began putting posters up was because of the lack of the Christian voice on campus encouraging this good moral character. Yes, we have a few uni clubs but in terms of advertising Biblical values while addressing current social and political topics, the game was weak. I felt a calling to be that voice. Being a woman, I think I felt a particular role to play when speaking about feminism and encouraging men to be proper leaders. I was terrifed to say something because of the possible backlash fuelled by anger. The only reason I was actually able to do it was because I knew God’s calling on my life was greater than my own and that He would protect me. I knew He could make me into something greater than I could. I trusted in Him and now I’m being interviewed by the Empire Times! Hallelujah!
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Hello! I’m a student here at Flinders Uni, halfway through my degree. I put up posters and memes around campus that speak to current political and social topics from a Christian perspective. I got my name from a fellow uni student who wrote a heated response to my poster about feminism in the girls’ bathroom. I was referred to as the ‘anonymous bathroom Christian’ and I thought that was quite creative. I’m a baker at heart, always sharing my cakes with friends and talking about said current topics to learn how different people think. I’m particularly intrigued by the visible shift in culture and how that infuences politics and is infuenced by politics. I love Christ because He frst loved me. So, when did you start creating these posters and why?
The things I put up around campus touch on topics that I think are important to have a Christian perspective speak out on. I’ve talked on topics of feminism, role of men, role of women, myths of women in the Bible, vaccines, media, government and salvation. Previous to uni, I had thought that there was a culture crisis which led into a wider societal breakdown and political corruption, partly driven by lack of self-refection and moral role models.
Anonymous Bathroom Christian, tell us a bit about yourself!
You’ve mentioned that you are a woman – does this mean only those who use the women’s bathrooms get to see these posters? It’s true, I don’t go into the boys bathroom. Thank goodness! But the posters I put in the girls bathroom aren’t necessarily girls bathroom-specifc. I put the same posters up around the campus too.
Michelle Goldberg characterises the DeppHeard trial as the ‘‘death of the Me-Too Movement’’, as it exemplifes just how easy it is for claims of abuse to be weaponised against the victim; for an abuser to turn around and say, ‘‘well, actually, I’m the real (and only) victim’’. This tactic is nothing new. This exact response actually has a name - ‘‘DARVO’’, short for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Ofender. The public’s reaction to this trial has been embroiled in rancid misogyny from the beginning. The world watched as Amber Heard’s ex-husband talked in vivid detail about murdering her and raping her corpse and paid mental health professionals to inappropriately broadcast psychiatric diagnoses in order to paint her as crazy woman. Not only did the world watch - it cheered, and survivors quietly took note. Only a year ago, Australia was shocked by the allegations brought forth by Brittany Higgins. We were outraged at her treatment and came together to provide her a voice and a platform. We questioned why her attacker had not been immediately named, and why he was being protected by the powers that be. But the reason he wasn’t named was the same reason Depp used to drag Amber Heard to court – a man has the right to his reputation. Victoria Legal Aid describes defamation as ‘‘causing harm to a person’s reputation by publishing material about them that changes the way people feel about them’’; and in a civil court, it is incredibly difcult to prove a case of abuse against perpetrators. In 2015, a Western Australian court ordered a woman to pay $12,5000 to her ex-husband for posting on Facebook that he had been abusive towards her during their marriage. She, like Amber, was able to produce written apologies from him where he admitted to violence against her, but it did not matter. The outcome of the Depp-Heard case did not surprise me. To me, it came as the newest, and most infamous, addition to a long history of the courts serving as an avenue for abusers to further silence and control their victims. But for many, the precedent that this solidifes is not as Deppevident.may have won back his reputation and given his ex-wife the ‘‘global humiliation’’ he wished upon her but, publications everywhere also became just a little bit less willing to give survivors the space to tell their stories.
Words by Anonymous (don’t sue me!)
‘‘I saw how institutions protect men accused of abuse’’ ‘‘I became a public fgure representing domestic abuse’’ ‘‘IAndspoke up against sexual violence’’. These are the three sentences that Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for. At the end of the day, it was these three vague, and almost value-neutral, statements that allowed Depp to drag Heard into open court and humiliate her on the global stage.
A Half-Hearted Defence of Amber Heard
So, ask yourself, is his reputation worth the silence that will follow?
Content Warning: Discussions of abusens
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Abusers’ rights to their reputationssurvivorssilences 11
MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Returning to home GALLERYCOMPETITIONPHOTOGRAPHY Back in issue 1 the editors at Empire Times asked you to send in your photos for our photography competition. We are proud to showcase a range of entries from Md Rajiul Huda Dipto, Anugrah Alex Paul, Laura Thompson, and Paddy Maddern. Congratulations to Harry Kellaway, who’s work is featured on the front and back covers as the winner of the competition. Thank you to everyone who entered, it is a pleasure to recieve and feature your work. Never stop creating. 12
MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Crowdy Sky. 13
MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Farmers are working in the feld and the rise of mills can be seen in the distance. 14
MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Children are working in the beach. 15
MD RAJIUL HUDA DIPTO - Refections of the boats. 16
“This photograph was taken on a 1950 Ricohfex Model III TLR, on CineStill 50D flm stock. One afternoon when I was walking along the railway line in my town, I stumbled across this hidden tree house and thought the opportunity to take a photo was too good to pass up. The steps nailed into the tree and the rope to pull oneself up to a higher platform reminded me vividly of my childhood and I thought it was nice to see people in the community were building things like this in public space to be discovered by those observant enough. The imperfections in the lens of my old camera added more character I thought to the image and made it look more old-fashioned.” - Paddy Maddern
- Untitled
PADDY MADDERN
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LAURA THOMPSON - Entangled Lives 18
ANUGRAH ALEX PAUL - Untitled 19
The precariousness of temporary migrants is also linked to their (sometimes self-imposed) silencing, due to a fear of losing their job. ‘Losing the job’, ‘losing ability to pay for rent/ bills’ and ‘di culty to nd a new job due to small community’ were the most frequently chosen replies in our survey. We also collected evidence of international students being threatened, blackmailed, and verbally, physically and/or sexually harassed. Verbal abuse was very common and ranged from belittling and passiveaggressive remarks to open abuse.
Wage theft is the unfortunate reality for many living in Adelaide. A key aspect of wage theft that is not wellknown, however, is the link between underpayment and vulnerability.
In collaboration with the Australian Catholic Religious Against Tra cking in Humans group, the Young Christian Workers group, and the South Australian Labour Hub, our team here at Flinders University conducted a study on the ‘cycle of vulnerability’. The cycle of vulnerability suggests that the more precarious one’s situation is, the less one is able to walk away from it. Our study also suggests that those on temporary visas, such as international students, are more vulnerable to labour exploitation. Workers between the ages of 24 and 35 are the most likely to experience labour exploitation here in Adelaide, with an almost even split between gender. Workers from China and Nepal were also at a disproportionately high risk of exploitation. Our study also found that exploitation is present within a wide range of industries – from hospitality and administration to security and cleaning; to retail and healthcare. Common to all of these industries is the stories of underpayment, long hours, and little to no access to bene ts. ‘Cash in hand’ payments, informal contracts, and forged payslips were all common techniques to evade inspections by TheseFairWork.conditions contribute to a worker’s precarity, especially in regards to international students who rely on said incomes for university fees and accommodation. International Students often lack an informal support system to assist in these needs, and face other issues such as an inadequate understanding of the socio-cultural, economic, and legal system and insu cient skills in technical-legal English, which is needed to keep oneself informed of one’s rights or of agencies that can o er pro-bono help. In this regard, we found evidence that in some cases workers were told they ‘weren’t allowed to join a union’, limiting their ability to access the information and support they need.
Wage Theft or Modern Slavery? Words by Marinella Marmo 20
“Walk in the shoes of these temporary visa holders before claiming that they ‘could’ or ‘should’ walk away” 21
• Abusive
• Intimidation and
• Isolation •
of
Wage theft is part of a continuum that exacerbates the worker’s vulnerabilities and may lead to forms of modern slavery. Often, we don’t appreciate what modern slavery is until we re ect on the indicators of forced labour provided by the International Labour Organisation, as
•
• Abuse
and
Withinfollows:our study we found cases where, alongside underpayment and abuse, a worker’s documents, laptops or personal devices were kept by the manager against the worker’s will, representing a form of debt bondage. In the most extreme cases, when threats, deception and/or coercion are present, such extreme exploitation is more akin to conditions of slavery or slavery-like practices (such as forced labour, debt bondage or domestic servitude) than wage theft. The more the above indicators are present the more the situation resembles extreme exploitation akin to slavery-like practices, rather than just wage theft alone. In such cases, the worker lacks the ability to o er free and informed consent. We need to walk in the shoes of these temporary visa holders before claiming that they ‘could’ or ‘should’ walk away. of vulnerability Restriction of movement Physical sexual violence threats Retention of identity documents of wages Debt bondage working Women’s Centre legal Commission Australia: Worker’s Rights
Worker’s
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and living conditions Fair Work Commission Working
Guide 22
• Deception •
• Withholding
21 AND ON THE RUN
Hi Adila, thank you so much for sharing your story and aspirations with us!
First of all, if you could introduce yourself in any way regardless of usual conventions, what would you say?
My name is Adila, I am based in Adelaide studying a double degree in International Relations and Arts, with a major in Psychology [at Adelaide Uni]. Primarily, I am a human rights activist with a large focus on Uyghurs and slowly verging into the politics game.
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ET editor Jess was lucky enough to speak to the ambitious Adila Yarmuhammad, the 21 year old Uyghur activist running in the federal election. Adila shares how she got her start as an activist, and sheds light on the persecution currently faced by Uyghur people under the Chinese Communist Party.
Defnitely not! A couple years ago I was still in high school, unsure of what I would even be studying in university. I had a rough idea that I would study, graduate and end up working in something relating to human rights but had no plans to run in a federal election.
How long would you say you have been an activist for Uyghur human rights and human rights in China, and is there a moment that kick-started it for you? Pretty much my whole life. I attended my frst protest at 6 months old, with my parents strapping me into their car and doing a road trip to melbourne.
At just 21 years old, you are running in the federal election. A couple of years ago would you have believed this is what you’d be doing?
My biggest memories of my childhood were the road trips to melbourne, canberra and sydney for a protest and support the community there. Usually we would be on the road for a day or two, a couple hours in the city and back on the road to come back home. But the moment that really kick started my ‘activist’ identity was when i did my frst speech at a protest at the age of 13. I then continued doing speeches and ended up mc-ing and writing up agendas for them. From then on, I just grew into the person I am now.
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For people who may not know, what does ‘Uyghur Muslim’ mean, and what exactly is happening to Uyghur people right now in China? Uyghurs have been persecuted by China and the Chinese Communist Party since 1949. After a short lived independence in 1949, the state of East Turkistan was taken over by China and is now known as Xinjiang. Xinjiang actually means new territory/ land in chinese. In 2009, there was a huge crackdown on Uyghurs following the July 5th Urumqi massacres. In 2017, Uyghurs in the diaspora received news that many of their family members had been taken to unknown ‘camps’. Originally, china denied the existence of these camps but have now come up and stated they are for ‘re-education’ purposes. However, Uyghurs in the diaspora generally refer to them as concentration camps. Since then, it is estimated that 1-3 million Uyghurs and other turkic ethnicities are being detained in these camps against their will. On top of this, many Uyghurs have lost contact with their family members and friends, unable to fnd out about their wellbeing or if they are even alive. Uyghurs who have not been detained in these camps are forced into unbelievable situations. Women are forced to marry Han chinese offcials, to celebrate interracial marriages. Children are forcibly taken away to state run orphanages. Uyghurs are forced into forced labour factories. Personally, I don’t prefer the whole term ‘Uyghur Muslim’. I understand where it comes from, and why it is used but the biggest reason why China is persecuting Uyghurs is due to their ethnicity, not their religion. When talking about the Uyghur genocide, many Muslim countries stay silent. Although personally, my faith is one of the most important parts of my life it is so disappointing to see muslim leaders put money and wealth on top of muslim lives. In your experience how have you found everyday Australia’s general attitude towards what’s happening in China? Everyday white Australians will generally be surprised if you start talking about what’s happening with the Uyghurs. However, after the Hong Kong protests the situation is slowly coming into light. Do you think xenophobia affects the way that white Australians think about China? 100%. I am often debating if certain politicians or supporters support Uyghurs because of the human rights abuses we face in our home country, or if they are xenophobic and/or racist. The attitude towards China today is completely affected by xenophobia, and it didn’t help with covid either. It often frustrates me that some people’s support comes from the wrong place. And similarly, do you think Islamophobia affects how people in China and the west view the Uyghur people? After 9/11, the rise of islamophobia was huge in the west. The same can be said in China
You can’t say that about a lot of other parties, especially bigger ones like the Liberal or Labor party. If elected, who do you imagine the party will work with, and what kind of bills do you plan to initiate? If elected, I do hope to work with the Greens and Labor. I also imagine we will be working alongside Rex Patrick in the senate, as he has also helped the Uyghur community and holds as well. As China is a predominantly atheist country, practicing religion makes it very diffcult. China uses the west’s fear of Islam to explain why Uyghurs are being placed in these concentration camps, referred to as reeducation camps by chinese offcials.
University. Since then, our friendship only grew and he provided so much support towards myself and the Uyghur community. He approached me and asked if I would be interested in running with him for South Australia senate. I won’t deny that I did have doubts and was anxious. However, Drew and I (along with the rest of our crew in DPDA) hold almost identical views in regards to a lot of policies. Running with a DPDA makes it easier to hold and stay true to my morals and ethics. I am allowed to speak my mind and stand up for what I believe needs to be stood up for.
In the election you are running with the Drew Pavlou Democratic Alliance (DPDA), what makes this party different and why have you chosen to affliate yourself with it? Drew Pavlou and I originally became friends when Peter Hoj was named VC of Adelaide 25
If there is one thing you could ask of Australians in relation to the prosecution of Uyghur Muslim people, what would it be? To be wary of China. It does make it diffcult when racism and xenophobia come into play, but Uyghurs were once trusting of China too and now even those who supported the CCP are in these concentration camps.
“The truth is, how many unqualifed men are in positions that they do not deserve? Women can theyachievealwayswhataremeanttoachieve.”-
Women can always achieve what they are meant to achieve. And lets be honest, I know many young individuals who are way more mature and understanding of politics who are completely capable of going after positions like I am. Have the confdence of a middle aged man! From your experience as an activist, having also studied at University, how can the everyday student get involved in this kind of activism in a meaningful way? There are so many different ways! The biggest one is supporting the Uyghur community by attending local protests, speaking up about it, educating themselves and others around them. Another way is to donate to charities that help Uyghur refugees, such as Shukr Foundation, or organisations that research and work to end the genocide, such as World Uyghur Congress of Uyghur Human Rights Project. Good luck Adila! I will leave you on a deep note, what do you believe your life’s purpose is? I think out of all the questions, this is defnitely the toughest! My name means Justice in Arabic, and I’ve been told by many individuals that it is quite ftting! I do believe that you may have different life purposes, or that it can even change as you as an individual change.
Adila Yarmuhammad 26
What do you hope will happen as a result of you running in the federal election? I can only hope to be elected. However, my biggest concern these days is ensuring that Nick Xenophon is not elected. Xenophon spent the last few years working as the top lawyer for Huawei, a tech company linked to aiding the CCP in putting millions of Uyghurs in concentration camps. What would you say to young women out there who feel that they are too young and therefore too unqualifed to go after their dreams? The truth is, how many unqualifed men are in positions that they do not deserve?
similar views as ours. Naturally, the type of bills we would love to initiate gravitate towards standing strong against china, working towards climate justice and towards support for First Nations people.
Currently, I would say it has something to do with supporting and working to end the genocide of uyghurs. As i grow older, i believe it could even change to educating the future generation and my future children about Uyghurs and the Uyghur culture.
Collage by Samantha LongCollage by Samantha LongCollage by Samantha LongCollage by Samantha Long
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Do we have a warped sense of what is normal?
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by Jessica Rowe
I would have been about 11. The boys zoomed past on their bikes eager to make the biggest skid in the gravel when they held down their breaks. We were at our neighbours’ house and our mums were inside drinking Omni wine. I’d always enjoyed the dusty, outdoor bicycle antics, but lately it had been getting a little dry. Maybe my biking abilities had stagnated in comparison to my farm-boy companions, and as much as I wanted to eat the cheese platters and eavesdrop on the gossip inside, I knew I’d just be an annoyance to the mums who blissfully left us to our own devices. For whatever reason, I decided to make it more amusing for myself by encouraging all of the girls in the group to tie their tops up, transforming them into crops. I was mimicking the ‘Four X angels’, the scantily dressed ambassadors for the beer brand, and the women who say “go!” at race tracks. The group was divided between KTM (motorbike brand) lovers and Yamaha (another motorbike brand) lovers. So naturally I explained that the girls were to be either the KTM or Yamaha Angels as the boys rode their bikes. Was this the frst time I began to perform femininity in a space that I felt was void of it? I so clearly felt the need to create a role for myself where I had none, even if that role was inappropriate for an 11 year old girl. This is one of the many scenarios I refected back on after reading Sarah E Crann’s research article, “Smalltown girls”and“countrygirls”:Examiningthepluralityoffeminineruralsubjectivity. “Its a man’s world,” my Mum and I would often say when discussing the socio-cultural goings on of Kangaroo Island. Crann explains that the “gendered coding of rural spaces as masculine created a natural place for boys but reduces the visibility and possibilities for girls in these spaces. For example, when girls occupy rural space they tend to be coded by others as ‘tomboys’.” If you think about pasttimes and aesthetics of country life, chances are you will fnd yourself listing things that are also considered, in the traditional sense, as masculine. Sports, farming, bikes, cars. These are activities and passions that were readily available and highly encouraged where I grew up. Things considered stereotypically feminine were not. Fashion, beauty, creative endeavors, and dance. In a strange way, when coming of age as a girl in rural areas, you are caught between the rules set out in the media about being feminine, and the cultural norms in your town. Unfortunately, from a young age I cared about what men thought of me, and like many others, often see myself through the male gaze. Idolizing glamorous women on TV, magazines and on YouTube set a standard so far from farm-life in terms of what is considered attractive. On the other hand, there was a sense of respect for boyish pursuits as opposed to the demonisation of the ‘girly-girl’ in my small town. Where does that leave young girls as they attempt to navigate the unique social norms and expectations of femininity in rural areas?
COUNTRY GIRLS
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While this shirks urban expectations of femininity, it also creates new ones. Crann elaborates, “Notably, the production of this particular subjectivity does rely, to some extent, on the devaluing of conventional femininity.” Under the watch of what I would argue is an even narrower male-gaze, is there an opportunity for girls coming of age to experiment with conventional femininities without being patronized or socially and academically dismissed?
What I have labelled as the demonisation of the ‘girly-girl,’ stems from what I believe is a value-system in rural areas quite unique to those of urban spaces. Country life is synonymous with the idea of the ‘aussie-battler,’ and the prioritization of survival, this renders things like self-expression and creative past-times low on the list of what is valued in a micro-society who sees itself as separate from all that fuffy stuff. Crann explains, “positioning oneself as a country girl – a girl who is strong, resourceful, and contributes to the community in a meaningful way – against the subject position of city girls – girls who are assumed to be conventionally feminine and, at least as far as Natalie’s account suggests, preoccupied with shopping, clothes, and talking on the phone – appears to create new possibilities for feminine rural subjectivity unbound by conventional femininity.” Where urban areas and the media tend to create feminine ideals of being constantly ‘made-up,’ and concerned with fashionable appearances, it is clear that in rural areas still bound by this historical idea of survival, they tend to care more about whether a girl is contributing to the community in the way that the micro-society deems as ‘valuable.’
The minute population of rural areas creates unique and narrow social expectations, and ideas about what is feminine and attractive, this is why I believe those who grow up in isolated areas have a warped and incredibly select perception of what is considered ‘normal’ in this world. In Crann’s study, she found that country-girls would often describe themselves in polarity and comparison to the ‘city-girl’. She explains, “by constructing oneself against the “other,” social markers of race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual identity, and ability become visible. What emerges through this process of identity construction, according to Gonick (2003), are narratives of what is “normal” (i.e. white, Anglo, middle class) and therefore “not normal,” thus rendering the “normal girl” imaginable and knowable through an identifcation of the “not-normal girl.” She elaborated, “the participants collectively position themselves, through a shared racial and religious identifcation, to ft within what they considered to be “normal” (...) As Becca and Chloe’s exchange reveals, in order to collectively view the fashion choices of city dwellers as “not-normal,” there must be collective agreement on what constitutes “normal” appearance.”
Though this phenomena is somewhat inevitable, it is a shame that when us country girls slipp slightly from the tiny mold of what we think is expected of us, we feel crazy or alien. The city has shown me that I am talented in a lot of areas that were of no use on the island, but it also taught me that I’m not really unique at all! Frankly, my fashion choices are mild and my social and political ideologies are shared by most here in the city. I thought I wasn’t ‘normal,’ but to all the young girls out there living rurally, I have found, my friends, that ‘normal’ doesn’t exist.
Hearing cruel words inside my head. inking of days I wished I was dead. Believing that I’d always be fat. Coped with food I regret doing that.
Strong
Revenge through success became my obsession.
Trigger Warning: Discussion of disordered eating & Lifeending thoughts. 30
Couldn’t leave as I was trapped. In a place where they’d put me down. Carelessly leaving me on the ground. All these years I held onto the pain. ose days I’d walk through the rain.
Re-learning what I already knew. All these years I’d learnt to adapt.
I was back in my old school hall. As if I’d never le at all. And my class had all moved on. But there I was, stringing along. I thought that it couldn’t be true.
All this did was encourage my depression. I know it really doesn’t matter anymore. As I thought of what had happened before. I chose individuality over reputation. And in the end they called me an inspiration.
So in my dream I le the school once again. I’m letting go now as I should have back then. It made me who I am at the end of the day. As I grew to be the strong woman you know today. By Samantha Long 31
VOX?POP! VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 32
Are you in a political bubble?
Yeah, I would as long as they don’t talk to me about it.
33 VOX POP
Is there value in con ict?
Ziggy (Bachelor of Nursing)
How do you handle disagreements?
I think there is value in conflict, you need conflict otherwise you’re kind of just living your life thinking everything is how you think it is. Do you hate watch?
*laughs* I don’t think I hate anyone, so I guess no, I don’t hate watch.
I get very stressed about them, but usually I can figure out a way that both of us can meet in the middle.
Mostly I’m around people that have the same beliefs as me, so I guess I am. Would you date someone with the opposite political views as you?
Would you date someone with the opposite political views as you?
Probably. I’d say most of my friends are leftists, leaning towards either the Greens or Labor (which is more centre, I suppose). Politics tends to be an incendiary issue for most people, so usually me and my friends try to avoid it.
How do you handle disagreements?
Are you in a political bubble?
VOX POP 34
Do you hate watch? Yes. I watch stuff that I love to hate, like shitty TV shows, movies (I’m looking at you After), problematic YouTubers (e.g., Shane Dawson, Gabbi Hanna).
Yes. Attempting to avoid all conflict is quite naïve. Conflict between two people can always be resolved if there’s compromise (except maybe in dating, lol), and the same goes for two opposing ideas.
To be honest, probably not. I’ve heard some people can, and kudos to them, but I don’t believe I could. I’m quite passionate about my beliefs, so I’d find it quite hard to compromise with someone who is completely dead-set against my values.
It depends on who I’m disagreeing with. If it’s a family member, I’ll likely blow up at them, brood in my room for half an hour, then come back and apologize. If it’s with a friend or stranger, then I’d try to keep it civil and ask them why they feel that way. Sometimes people’s answers surprise you. Is there value in con ict?
Georgia (Bachelor of Creative Arts)
Collage by Samantha LongCollage by Samantha LongCollage by Samantha LongCollage by Samantha Long 35
FOUR OVERSIMPLIFCATIONSPOLITICALWordsbyTahliaDilberovic 36
Politics is messy. It is complicated, often inaccessible and sometimes doesn’t leave us feeling too good about ourselves. This is, in part, the reason why so many of us have sequestered ourselves away into political bubbles where our views and understandings of issues go unquestioned, and why we so often fall back onto cultural shorthand in order to make sense of the world, and how we interact with it.
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EXPLAINER
While completely understandable, this approach has resulted in the oversimpli cation of political issues. This leads to an absence of nuance and the shouting down of those who are not in the know, or do not use correct lingo.
This is an issue on both sides of the spectrum - even among progressive. Often times, these oversimpli cations are enough to prove our points, gain the moral high ground, and allow us to walk away feeling like we are ‘activists’. But a true commitment to leftist politics requires a commitment to understanding the underlying issues at play and requires us to be critical of how the narratives we use can often play right into the hands of capital. So here are some common policy issues that have spent time in the headlines as of late. With a healthy dose of nuance injected into them.
1. A commitment to no redundancies
3. Comprehensive and funded rehabilitation plans to provide signi cant employment
The Oversimpli cation: Women are paid less than their male counterparts.
The Nuance: It is true that women in Australia earn, on average, $255.30 less per week than their male counterparts. However, the method for calculating this gure relies on median incomes. This approach wipes out all nuance, and does not account for di erences in job roles, age, or experience. Likewise, it fails to disaggregate data along anything other than gender lines. This misses the ‘gaps within gaps’, and therefore overlooks the experiences of racialized and marginalised people. So, it exists, but it’s measured very poorly. I would argue focusing on the pay gap itself misses the point. It’s the longer lasting implications of this weekly di erence that we should be focusing on. In a capitalist society, money is the means through which we secure safety and autonomy for ourselves. With women having less access to money across their lifetimes, it follows that they have less access to these conditions as well. A lack of nancial freedom keeps women in toxic workplaces, violent living situations, and leaves them homeless in their old age. It is not a week-by-week di erence, but a disparity that seeps into every aspect of day-to-day life. So, who does this oversimpli cation serve? By xing the focus on weekly disparities in income, instead of addressing the widespread structural inequality and entrapment under capitalism, our capitalist state is able to shift blame onto industries and employers rather than overhauling a broken system. Furthermore, by xing the conversation on genders, it erases the voices of marginalised identities, whose experiences are often compounded. The oversimpli cation: We need to stop using fossil fuels and close mines immediately.
The Nuance: To this I say – Duh. We know that Australia must reach net-zero emissions by 2035 in order to avoid climate disaster and we know this means decarbonising our economy and shutting down our coal mines as soon as possible. But in Australia, environmental justice must be inextricably linked to workers’ rights and the survival of our regional communities. Tackling climate change means that high-emitting industries will decline, resulting in extreme regional job loss and lower economic activity – it’s a massive bummer, but it is the reality. How do environmentalists address this? By backing a just So,transition.whatwould
5. Funding and support to diversify regional economies via public investments in infrastructure, education facilities, relocation of government services, training programs 38
2. Lengthy notice periods for future intentions to close operations.
4. Funding and support to retrain workers
THE PAY DITCHINGGAPCOAL
a just transition involve? The Australian Council of Trade Unions has outlined 6 points for a just transition.
Importantly, First Nations women have stated time and time again that criminalising coercive control will endanger them, and other vulnerable communities. They cite longstanding histories of poor treatment by police, the courts and government, and the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are more frequently misidenti ed as domestic violence o enders than other demographics.
Who does the oversimpli cation serve? This oversimpli cation is designed to drive a wedge between workers and the environmental movement, to maximise hostility and resentment on both sides, in order to slow progress – to the detriment of both communities. We need only look at the United Kingdom under Thatcher to see the harm down to workers under the uncritical guise of environmentalism.
COERCIVE CONTROL
I would also like to add my own onto this: Genuine consultation to with a ected communities. Sometimes we on the left need to get o our high horse about these kinds of things. Yes, this action is necessary, but that does not mean it will hurt people any less. The best we can do is genuinely listen to their fears and their hardships and try to mitigate it as much as possible.
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Many advocates believe that a carceral approach is not the answer to reducing domestic violence, arguing that directing the state’s responses to punitive policing rather than funding social services that would allow women greater agencies ‘only reinforces the strategies adopted by abusers.’
Organisations such as Sisters Inside and the Institute for Collaborative Race Research argue that ‘criminalising coercive control would further deter at-risk women from engaging with police in domestic violence situations and will subject them to the very forms of subtle control that this legislation ostensibly seeks to avoid’.
Who does the oversimpli cation serve? This oversimpli cation provides a basis for the justi cation of increasing police presence and the expansion of our carceral state. It places the onus on individuals, rather than addressing the structural factors that allow abusive dynamics to take root. and industry development policies. 6. Valuing the work of female-dominated industries to combat the dependence on fossil fuel economy workers as the primary income earners.
The Oversimpli cation: Coercive control is a form of abuse and criminalising it will keep women safe. The Nuance: Coercive control is de ned as a ‘pattern of ongoing and escalating behaviours that seek to destroy a woman’s self-agency’. Let’s note the gendered language and the complete absence of tangible actions within this de nition. Policy makers have found a strong correlation between coercive control and intimate partner violence and homicide. The logic goes that as research increasingly indicates that partner homicides are the most predictable type of murder, they are also, logically, the most preventable. The argument being the incarceration is prevention. However, this approach to addressing domestic violence is incredibly contested.
The Oversimpli cation: There are Sudanese gangs in Australia, and they are a genuine danger to our communities.
Think critically about these things. Engage with why you believe the things you do. Admitting that your reasoning may be overly-simplistic at times does not mean admitting that you have come to the wrong conclusion (although, sometimes it does – and that’s ok to admit as well!). And, to sneak in a shameless plug, if you believe an issue important to you has been oversimpli ed, or you think I’m wrong about some of this, write about it for Empire Times. Your student magazine is here to give you a voice.
THE TAKEAWAY
The Nuance: Since the 2010s, several police jurisdictions in Australia have set up taskforces aimed at curbing youth gangs; with speci c emphasis being placed by the media on Sudanese gangs (broadly referred to as ‘African gangs’, and I am not quite sure that these journalists don’t know that Africa isn’t a country). A majority of this press has involved the Apex Gang and the Menace to Society Gang, in particular.
For those who have been keeping up with the news, the issue of Sudanese gangs re-entered our headlines around ANZAC day, when a 17-year old boy allegedly stabbed a 25-year-old to death on North Terrace, and was found to be in connection to the Menace to Society Gang. However, these gangs don’t actually exist. Or at least, they aren’t gangs. They do not meet the criteria to be considered as such, and are completely unstructured in a way that is immediately disqualifying. The Victorian police have gone as far as ‘begging’ the media to stop using the term ‘gang’ as it ‘does not accurately represent the nature of the problem’- and you know it takes a lot for the Victorian police to come to the defence of any minority. ‘Gang’ signi er aside, is there a problem with crime amongst Sudanese youth? Well, crime has actually dropped in Victoria (where many of these claims originate) in the last two years, as has youth crime. Sudanese Australians, likewise, only make up 1.5% of Victorian o enders – hardly an ‘African youth crime wave’.
Who does the oversimpli cation bene t? The oversimpli cation falls back onto the ‘fear of crime’ trope that is oh-so useful to conservative societal forces. The Liberal party and the Australian Labor party are both guilty of rolling out this rhetoric come election time, and the police are often reluctant to rebut them, given this rhetoric usually results in increased funding and reliance on the police. The media also loves the revenue raised by sensationalist - read: racist - headlines.
SUDANESE GANGS 40
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I know myself only in comparison to you by Jessica Rowe I am constantly building a sense of identity, clinging to ideas about myself and feeling frustrated when I don’t act in accordance with them. While the world becomes more and more politically polarised, it’s also interesting to examine how, on a personal level, we use polarity and black-and-white thinking as a way of developing our sense of self, and trick ourselves into thinking we understand, and can predict, others around us.
This thought bubble frst arrived in my hyperactive brain when I was early in my deep obsession with Myers-Briggs personality types. My introverted friend was talking about how she is labelled ‘quiet’ in some friend groups but not others, where she is seen as one of the louder members. In this way, it is clear that in our attempt to understand eachother using the tools of categorising and labelling, we are only really able to base these decisions on the comparison we make between the personality in question and those around them. I realised that throughout my life I have frequently been positioned in polarity to the people I am closest to, by myself and by my communities. I am led to believe that this is for two reasons; people’s brains prefer predictability and a simple way to sort people, and we constantly strive for individuality, and labels that give us a sense of self in the messy, irrational ever-changing world inside and outside of our minds. As a Myers-Briggs nerd, I know this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, I’ve begun to notice how this ‘polarity-refex’ has negatively affected my relationships and self-esteem throughout my life. Photo by Harry Kellaway 42
The ‘polarity-refex’ seeps into my relationship. ‘I have to do the organising because I’m the organised one.’ My partner is excited by the prospect of organising our dates, just as I, the ‘extraverted’ one can get excited to spend the night in. Many people would describe me as driven and because of this I fear that my partner’s passion for things is often overlooked because of the need to sort us into polar categories. But these assumptions will only get us further away from truly understanding eachother, and they leave no room for growth, which we know is invaluable to a lasting relationship.
I suppose the earliest and perhaps most detrimental example was the way the adults I was surrounded by perceived me in comparison with my childhood best friend, and perhaps even the wider community, harbouring their conformist small-town values. I wasn’t particularly eccentric, nor was I particularly airheaded. Though comments from parents, principals and my peers would all help to create the myth of the ‘creative, impractical, anxious’ one in comparison to the ‘logical, practical, confdent’ one. We were seen in polarity to each-other, how could two such different people be such good friends? These ideas I’m sure limited both of us as we began to come of age, in what we thought we were capable of and how we saw our futures. It’s what happens to most people in small towns, they get pigeon-holed. It always confused the two of us though, I knew that she was sensitive, and she knew that I was clever. Ultimately, we were both drawn to leadership and tended to have grounding energies. These were the important commonalities that everyone seemed to miss. Instead, one of us had to be a leader and one of us had to be a follower. “Of course the dog barks up its owner,” a boy in my class exclaimed after I defended my friend. I’ve gone on to pursue a range of leadership positions and anyone who knows me will tell you I am called to it. But there is no room for nuance in polarity, similar traits cannot coexist, there must be a I go home to my parent’s house and spend time with my 17 year old sister, I am surprised at how little she believes we have in common. “We have such different interests,” “You like to analyse things and I don’t.” It saddens me that she can’t see how alike we are, and even our grandparents and relatives feed into this narrative, “She’s always been the more [insert descriptor here] one.” I wonder if we focused more on our commonalities; the way we both love deeply, the enjoyment we derive from working a room, our leadership skills and love for expressing ourselves, would we have a better relationship? No! I am like Dad, and she is like Mum! I despise this way of thinking. Casestudy3, my co-editor. I believe the biggest farce surrounding the two of us is that the ‘Jess approach’ to things, and the ‘Tahlia approach’ to things make us so different. At the end of the day, whatever approach we take, we share the same end goal, and isn’t there something to be said about that? Principally we agree most of the time, and I am under the impression that it would be of beneft to some people around us if we get caught up in the idea that we are opposites. While we may disagree or have varying reactions at times, we both use our skills in diplomacy to fgure it out. Even in our disagreements, we can fnd similarities in our personalities. There is no logic vs emotion, there is no political vs creative, these things have to co-exist to make any decision, they have to co-exist to ignite any change or progression. I’d say that the two of us hold a good amount of both.
As tacky as it sounds, maybe we should focus more on the things that make us alike rather than what makes us different. Imagine how fulflling our work and personal relationships would be, imagine the level of objectivity we could reach with our intrinsically biased minds. I will no longer allow myself to feel trapped inside the perceptions of others who can only see me in relation to themselves or the people I exist beside.
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Nowhierarchy.when
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45 Introvert or Extrovert A) Extrovert B) Introvert Morning Person or Night Owl? A) Morning Person B) Night Owl One task at a time, or everything at once? A) One task at a time B) Everything at once Are you more impressed by principles or emotion? A) Emotion B) Principles The most important thing for working in a team is A) A united vision B) Rigorous internal debate Pick a deadly sin A) Lust B) Envy Who is your Kardashian?preferredA)KhloeB)Kourtney Would you date someone with diferent political beliefs?A)YesB)No You form judgements A) Slowly B) Quickly Do you worry about how you are perceived in social A)situations?AllthetimeB)Rarely Are you easy to approach or somewhat reserved? A) Easy to approach B) Somewhat reserved Congrats! You’re more like JessEditor Congrats! You’re more like TahliaEditor
politicalcorrespo n d e n ec 46
2. Mergers have only ever meant course and sta cuts, bigger classes, overworked sta and to ensure the University can be run as e ciently as possible - a Uni merger is no di erent. Universities should be an institution available for all people to study whatever they please, not an institution with the sole purpose of making pro ts and creating skilled workers for the free market. A top 100 university is irrelevant if you can’t study what you want and Malinauskas’ support for these mergers just highlights how right wing the Labor party is.
SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE
3. The conclusion made from the Labor party after Bill Shorten lost the election in 2019 was that their agenda was ‘too radical’. Since then the Labor party have posed no challenge to the Liberals’ $95 million tax cuts that disproportionately bene t the rich; have supported the Liberals’ racist policies on “turning the boats back” for refugees; argued that the Liberals are too soft and should be more aggressive towards China and the Solomons; supported the transphobic religious discrimination bill, continued to support the expansion of the fossil fuel industry; and banned terms within their party such as “top end of the town” to not lose the support of the rich and powerful - Labor do support a rise in the minimum wage, unlike the Liberals, but only to match in ation levels. Labor are clearly no friend of the working class or ordinary people and have become somewhat indistinguishable to the Liberal party in recent years – bar being led from someone who shit their pants in McDonalds.
3. Have the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party become more similar or dissimilar in their politics/policies in recent years?
1. Is it time for a cease- re in Ukraine?
1. Wars happen because capitalism is a competitive system and the ruling classes use wars to gain a geopolitical advantage over their rivals. Ideally, Russian troops would defy their generals’ orders and Russia would immediately hand back any seized land, but this is obviously unlikely. However, a cease re and negotiation with Russia will mean a permanent partition if Russia still has troops on Ukrainian land. So, what is the way out of this con ict? A historical example to point to is the Vietnam war that was ended through prolonged Vietnamese resistance and mass rebellion in the West, and the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people and brave anti-war movements within Russia’s borders indicate another way to end this imperialist con ict without the escalation from Russia or the surrender of a defeated Ukraine. Ultimately though, wars will continue to happen in the future and if we are to be rid of them we need to be rid of capitalism.
47 ELFT
2. Premier Malinauskas has signalled his support for a uni merger, despite opposition from students, academics and the community. How important is it that South Australia has a top 100 uni, and do you think a merger is a viable way of achieving this status?
1. A cease- re in Ukraine would provide relief to the people currently burdened by war in their region. However this is outside the control of the Australian government as Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been unreceptive to attempts at cease- re talks, while Ukrainian leadership has stated that they will not accept any ceasere wherein they concede land to Russia. Australia’s concern now ought to be on reducing the likelihood that we are pulled into a larger con ict, given that NATO has been supplying Ukraine with materiels and there appears to be no peaceful end in sight unless further developments show something unexpected.
The Ukrainian people have outlasted and outsmarted Putin’s advance, our only worry is Putin and his Russia may not uphold the cease- re or use it as a chance to regroup and reorganise for the next stage of the invasion.
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2. University mergers have been in the air for a while. Reaching a top 100 rank is achievable through this approach, but it is not likely. Flinders Labor Unity is against any uni merger for Flinders University.
2. South Australian universities ought not develop tunnel vision for status or the opinions of others. While university rankings can uphold a standard for tertiary education institutions, it shouldn’t be thought of as a race. Leadership in a university should be focused on providing the best opportunities for both their students and academics, and fostering an environment where both learning and research can ourish. Decisions should be made on this basis, not on appeasing some list. If the recommendation from academics, the bedrock of a university, is that a merger is illadvised then that should be the most highly weighted consideration.
3. While both the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party have converged and departed from on several issues at both state and federal levels. This is a large scope across several levels that is di cult to comment on succinctly.
LABOR UNITY
3. The Australian Labor Party has not become more similar to the Liberal party. With many Australians concerned about a range of issues, from the environment, transparency in government, to aged care and health care the Labor Party will deliver,unlike the Liberal party which isn’t even interested in these issues. The Australian Labor Party is committed to policies that will bene t Australia and Australians- unlike the Liberals who only care about the policies of their corporate elite donor buddies. Labor cares about social justice, the Australian people and transparency in government brought about via the ABC and an ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption). While Liberals have been attacking support for Australians such as Medicare, giving jobkeeper to millionaires like Harvey Norman, etc.
HNCETRERIGT
1. It is time for the violence to end, yes. An end to the con ict is best for the globe.
FLINDERS’ LIBERAL CLUB
Volume 49, Issue 05
