Australia: a land of untrustworthy, scheming authoritarians?! (The Spectator)

Tom Valcanis

20 July 2023

Blog, Journalism

Once upon a time, in high school, our politics teacher asked us what the Australian national identity was.

To wit, we were stumped.

He then asked us what the Chinese national identity was. We rattled off all kinds of things – a common ethnicity, perception of oneself as the ‘Middle Kingdom’, Confucianism, and a few other spicy things teenage boys no doubt cacked themselves with.

Today, in 2023, what is the Australian national identity from a global point of view?

Read the rest at The Spectator Australia.

Tom Valcanis

28 December 2011

Article: The Recess of Electoral Education (Onya Magazine)

Tom Valcanis

28 December 2011

What are the most important subjects taught to our children in primary school? Mathematics. History. English. Foreign Languages. Politics. If you thought the last subject felt out of place, you aren’t alone. During my time at a state primary school in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, politics was a barely touched upon subject – I scarcely recalled learning about the separation of powers or the Australian Federation until at least the intermediate years of high school. Although it didn’t deter me from higher studies of politics at VCE and tertiary levels, it would seem an exception to the rule. In Australia it’s compulsory to vote in elections – another exception to worldwide democratic norms – but are we afforded a suitable introduction to our vital institutions, civil society and its processes to make an informed decision from a young age and into maturity? What is meant by “political literacy” in 2011?

Opinion: Principled Stand, Plummeting Poll?

Tom Valcanis

12 July 2011

Winston Churchill remarked that, “Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party.” This was especially true for William Morris “Billy” Hughes, our most principled – and arguably audacious – Prime Minister.

Originally a Labor man, he pushed for conscription and held two plebiscites on the issue which were defeated. His caucus was fed up with him and threw him out in 1916. He challenged those who, “thought like him to follow him.” And he did and clung on to the Prime Ministership until 1923.

In this day and age, it’s more likely that the politician in question will sanction their party to electoral oblivion.