How do we compare?
I was reflecting on one of our recent farmstays, where we host visitors from Asian countries wishing to experience Australian farm life. We had a family of four from Singapore visiting our Campaspe property and joining in our daily activities. The attendance of these visitors invariably stimulates conversation about the characteristics and culture of our countries, and how they compare.
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It is some forty years since I have visited Singapore, but apparently some things never change. The sign I noted in 1975 on entering the airport decreed – “Drug traffickers will face the death penalty.” It is still displayed. Needless to say, according to our guests, there are few drug problems in Singapore.
Littering and graffiti were a couple of other issues discussed. The city of Singapore is clean and safe, obviously brought about by the fact that any would be graffiti artists face stern retribution. The rattan or cane is still employed as corporal punishment (inhumane I hear the chorus!), followed by the public humiliation of supervised cleaning of the streets wearing an identifiable uniform reserved for miscreants. There are also heavy fines for any type of littering.
One of our guests, a 20-year-old, was currently involved in National Service, a compulsory aspect of Singapore’s culture. After only 6 weeks of basic training, his father was quite incredulous at the change of attitude in his son. “He is helping his mother in the home and being a lot more responsible for himself,” was the comment. Respect needs to be taught, not caught!
I was loathed to admit in comparative areas, we paled significantly. Unfortunately when visiting other cities and areas of Australia, our guests are going to be able to make their own judgements. Perhaps the grafittied trains, home invasions being reported daily, along with obvious drug issues, and lack of respect for elderly citizens, will colour their impression of our country.
I then began to wonder, if Australia employed the statutes applying in Singapore, how different would our culture be?
What would be the knock-on financial effects for our health system, our justice system and criminal proceedings? Money spent on drug rehabilitation, drug prosecution, cleaning graffiti, prosecuting litterers, were just a few of the savings that come to mind. Of course these millions and millions of dollars could then be used positively in our community.
Would the stern drug legislation and generally stringent community laws, make our country a safer place in which to live? Emergency service workers could go about their business in a safe environment. The elderly would feel safer on the streets. Maybe even Jill Meagher would have made it home safely!
Some years ago, one of our former Premiers suggested compulsory National Service would be a valuable experience for our young adults. Not surprisingly he was howled down by the civil libertarians of the day. I wonder if that attitude is changing?
We could embrace these changes in law, and gradually rectify our current decline in community standards, though I doubt we are ready yet. I think it will take many more years before we, as a community, are aggrieved enough to demand action.
The more immediate problem may be, that government and community groups are underestimating that oft maligned, politically incorrect, Australian male.
His tolerance is being tested by the home invasions, lack of safety for his family and generally “soft” judicial system. Remembering his forebears volunteered to defend their country and their people in many foreign theatres of war, it is not a stretch to believe that the same bloodline is going to want to defend his family and his home, regardless of personal consequences.
Perhaps the increase in sales of baseball bats and battery operated nail guns, gives some credence to this theory.