It was the anthem of a generation, indeed a nation. Heading into the summer of ‘86, the song launched the next phase of John Farnham’s long and stellar career, introducing a new audience to his talent.
It has endured through the years, with crowds uniting to belt out the chorus, complete with soaring “whoa”s. It was even voted #6 on Triple M’s “most Australian song of all time” list in 2018. It symbolised our larrikin, anti-authoritarian, rebellious nature.
You’re the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
We’re not gonna sit in silence
We’re not gonna live with fear
But, in 2020, it seems that that quintessential part of the Australian psyche is dead. Turns out many of us are gonna sit in silence, and many of us are gonna live with fear. Our politicians and media are doing their best every day to stir up fear and doom in the population, and it is working.
Today, The Australian published a poll showing that 62 per cent of Victorian voters agree that Premier Daniel Andrews has managed the crisis well. This is despite the harshest lockdown laws in the world, soaring covid-19 case numbers due to government bungling of the hotel quarantine program, over-reaching police action, a dying economy, and massive jumps in phone calls to counselling support services. All this, despite the science suggesting our reactions and fears are grossly exaggerated.
Indeed, 61 per cent of voters around Australia think the restrictions imposed in Victoria are appropriate.
39 per cent of voters around the country are now more concerned about harm to the economy and mental wellbeing than the risk of higher infection, compared to 20 per cent who held that view in July. At least that number is growing.
But it demonstrates clearly how effective the fear campaign created by our politicians, and gleefully spread by our media, has been. Suddenly, every other disease and cause of death has vanished, and the giant monster looming large over us all is the horrific covid-19 which allegedly was going to kill millions of Australians unless we all locked down – and still could, if we come out of hiding too soon.
Months of inconsistent & illogical restrictions, compassion-free responses to desperate pleas for help and understanding, baseless and insulting accusations of “you just want to kill grandma” made to anybody who expressed concern for the economic well-being of the population, and sanctimonious lecturing from media personalities and politicians, and the people, like sheep, go along quietly.
If ever you wanted to know how the Nazis in Germany could achieve such control over the people, now you know. And no, I’m not saying our Governments are the same as the Nazis, but the fear campaigns, followed by the promises to “keep you safe”, are hauntingly similar.
This time, we know we all can stand together
With the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better
Maybe it’s time to reclaim that Aussie spirit, that determination, that freedom and individualism, to make it better.
You’re the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
We’re not gonna sit in silence
We’re not gonna live with fear
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Grant Vandersee is a former secondary teacher who is now horrified at what is being taught and promoted in schools. A husband and father, political engagement runs in his family with three generations serving in local government. He's been personally involved in party politics for 20 years and is a member of the Liberal National Party. Grant is a staunch advocate for life, family, free speech, individual freedom and religious liberty.
