In the mythical land, progress towards realisation of the dream of a republic has stalled it would appear, or has it?
Police in the state of Victoria have asked for a pay rise. Considering the nature of their work this would seem a fair request. But the Premier wants to deliver a budget surplus and so a mere 2% raise has been offered; half the amount asked for by the union.
With negotiations stalled, police have decided to take industrial action. They will warn motorists to slow down ahead of speed cameras.
If the purpose of speed cameras is to make motorists more conscious of their speed, specific warnings of their presence can increase safety in a more efficient way than sending a fine in the mail to the offending motorist.
Perhaps industrial action and getting community support can help bring about new ways to conduct policing. They say they will also be helping school children cross roads as a way of engaging with the community.
So what if engaging with the community became the chief function of ordinary policing work?
What if the general concept of controlling, catching out and punishing was switched to helping out, keeping the peace and preventing crimes.
What if everybody stopped being hostile and judgmental and reactive and we all started taking care of each other?
What if we began to wake up to what has made us like this and we mentally walked away to a better place in our hearts that is kinder and more serene?
Then our republic would start to take shape.
