My daughter texted me on Monday night.
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‘Yay! Don’t need to be embarrassed in front of the world any more. Very very good news ‘.
For the first time in a very long while I wake in the mornings to the feeling this beautiful country of ours has settled back on its axis and we have left a dark place behind.
Gone in the flick of a magician’s wand are the three-word slogans, the language of the warrior and the combative pugilism of the boxing ring.
It has been replaced overnight by an articulate, considered leader who is offering us a place at the table in the future challenges of this country, a reassurance of confidence in our Australia.
This PM is a man who has worked in a much wider field than just politics.
He has been a lawyer, a banker, a stock broker who was raised by his father after his mother deserted them both.
He would have learnt great resilience from his childhood spent at a boarding school.
It will stand him in good stead in the challenging times ahead.
Australia is not a combative society (except on the sports field but that has its place).
I have always enjoyed the theatre of politics but like many others have found the last few years dark and disheartening.
We heard only negative and dire warnings of the future.
The debts and deficits, terrorists marching from the north, the influx of refugees and the threat of an ageing population, personal and vitriolic argument from both sides of Parliament.
Fear was a major player.
Malcolm Turnbull is promising us a positive future, a future which will affect our children and grandchildren.
We now have a statesman who is offering us refreshing and engaging policy discussions that can only be healthy for our country.
This PM isn’t necessarily promising us a rose garden, but as Malcolm Turnbull said this week ‘there has never been a better time to be alive and to live in Australia’.
Suddenly after Monday evening we have the possibility of an exciting new era.
This is a time of new opportunities for future generations that as yet we cannot even imagine.
Ideas already being discussed include the importance of innovation, education, technology development, better and more liveable cities, an inclusiveness of all peoples within our society.
Why has it taken so long?
It would appear we had to experience a baptism of fire in order to appreciate what the future can offer us.
We have been down some dark corridors in the last few years.
The sun is once again shining.
Women have been given leading roles in this cabinet.
This is an important step towards encouraging future generations of women to feel confident in tackling the big end of town.
One of our new PM’s strongest attributes is his understanding of the importance of negotiating with all parties.
This is something that has been missing during the last two years.
Perhaps his own time in the wilderness has helped him learn the art of compromise.
He appears relaxed and comfortable in his own skin.
For Australia’s sake let us hope Malcolm Turnbull can advocate for the challenges ahead.