Even among Australians worried about political correctness, 18C is not a big issue – The Guardian

Getting rid of 18C was a non-issue for the electorate. Even Barnaby Joyce could see that. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Do Australians worry about political correctness?

Thats a question I get asked a lot and it makes me cringe, largely because I hate the term political correctness, an empty, boring, overstretched, ridiculous phrase.

That being said, Ive heard my fair share of complaining about political correctness in the discussion groups Ive conducted over the past 10 years but these complaints are most often triggered by issues such as smacking at schools or in the home and whether the local shopping centre has decided not to erect the dusty old nativity scene in the food court.

Even among Australians worried about political correctness, 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act just doesnt come up. This weeks Essential Report does show that 45% of Australians approve of the removal of 18C. Thats a pretty weak number if we consider the Herculean effort of the anti 18C forces in the government and the media to discredit it. Its more revealing that only 14% strongly approve of the changes.

If we look at public support for our racial discrimination laws are they too strict, too weak or about right? a similar percentage (16%) consider them to be too strict. A significant chunk of us, 40%, think they are just right. A quarter of us would like them to be strengthened. That hardly amounts to an overwhelming scream from the electorate that this is a big issue that needs to be addressed. Compare this to any of the polling on, for example, investing in renewables or education, where all the data points to an electorate who is strongly supportive and where the issues rank high on the list of priorities.

Getting rid of 18C was a non-issue for the electorate. Even Barnaby Joyce could see that. And yet the prime minister has spent precious time and energy and some of his formidable rhetorical flourish in the fight for its repeal. If there is an issue in this political culture relevant only to an elite living in a bubble of affluence and influence, then 18C is it. Only a few pollies and highly paid newspaper journos are cracking open the Krug (Moet is too vulgar) now that it is gone.

All of this has ramifications for how the electorate view Malcolm Turnbulls leadership. If the prime minister was struck by lightning today, what would be chiselled onto the marble wall of his sepulchre? Removed 18C from the Racial Discrimination Act? You can almost hear the shudder run up the prime ministerial spine.

When he became prime minister, the electorate were willing to overlook the fact he rose to the office via a coup (we are used to them by now, arent we?) because they believed he would do big things and focus on the big picture.

Malcolm coming in brings an opportunity for a new era of forward movement. Hopefully a long time of consistent leadership.

Weve had that whole slanging match and going to the lowest common denominator in our governments for a long time, everyone just trying to sling crap on the next person rather than having proper debate and having an effective government. It seems like with this latest leadership change Malcolms tried to step above that.

These are some of the comments made in focus groups I conducted in the weeks after he became pm. And yet hope turned to disappointment and may border on despair if our prime minister continues to act as if he is captive to those in the party who think Australia is suddenly a better place without 18C. There is evidence in the latest Essential Report poll that the prime minister still has the publics attention and support if he manages to think and act on a grander scale. Consider the strong support for the expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme.

In fairness to Turnbull, its an unforgiving environment for a political leader. The electorate is short tempered. And of course we have always been tough on leaders that try to do big things. Our desire for straight-talking, visionary leaders focused on the hard task of reform works a little more in theory than in practice.

Those kinds of leaders are always more popular in hindsight than they are when they are actually governing. If we look at the Essential Report we see that given a list of vital political leadership attributes, what we are looking for most from our leaders is accountability. Do what you promise to do.

Turnbull promised a new area of better politics and a focus not on the minor issues of ginger groups within his caucus but on the top concerns of 99% of the electorate. He still has the publics attention and a sliver of their goodwill to go on, or else it will be 18C on the tombstone in perpetuity.

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Even among Australians worried about political correctness, 18C is not a big issue - The Guardian