Letter

In response to Hugh White and our post-American future

Colonial minds

The Australian Government’s reliance on a “special relationship” with the US dating back to 1942 is only part of the story. Our so-called leaders have always looked to a “great and powerful friend”, from 1788 on. Our “leaders” have never outgrown the colonial mentality. They are apparently incapable of imagining an independent Australia.

The old political parties are relics of the 19th and 20th centuries. We need to get them out of our Parliament entirely. The growing numbers of independents and progressives is a start in this process, though so far they have not stepped up to international affairs.

— Geoff Davies from Braidwood NSW