@iapetus_rocks wrote:
I think that the PM deliberately appears in public in speedos because he is attempting to send a political message.
The message being "I'm a real Aussie bloke, rough and tough and masculine". it's an old-fashioned appeal, an appeal maybe to those who hold old-fashioned conservative values.
Those who wear burqas are also presenting a political message. It's the politics of the womens' lot in Islam. Some women wear it proudly, in much the same way our PM wears his speedos.
Some women wear it under duress, and there's a political message in that too, I suppose. Of course, it is impossible to know for what reason any particular woman wears the burqa, unless we ask her . . . and that, might be considered to be a "confronting" question to the woman concerned, if only because she feels constrained to answer it in a certain way.
Those who wear the burqa from choice, will tell us they do so.
But, those who (in Australia) are constrained to wear the burqa, will also tell us that it is worn by free choice; and that is part of their constraint. They cannot say otherwise without penalty from their menfolk.
Whilst the public appearance may be politically influenced, I am not convinced that his choice of attire is. He has always been involved in Surf Life Saving and Triathlons, and speedos are typical attire for those pursuits. I am inclined to think that he wears speedos because that is what he has become comfortable wearing and being in decent form sees no reason to wear clothing that would restrict his activities.
He might be the PM, but he is still entitled to pursue his personal recreational interests and it makes sense that he would be drawn towards those activities with which he is familiar and has a long term association with.
If it is an image or message thing, I don't think it is one he has newly adapted for the purposes of political office, but rather that his recreational pursuits and interests have provided him with that image and he has just run with it.
If I remember rightly, Joe Bjelke Peterson was regularly adorned in country kind of attire, including an akubra. This is who he was, a reflection of his background.
I can think of a lot worse images the leader of our country could portray than a fit aussie male heavily involved with beach and surf activities - If Russ Hinze was our PM, the image would be of a morbidly obese oyster scoffing gambler who loved a punt on the ponies.
Old fashioned Values - haha - I can still remember the incongrous picture of Julia Gillard sitting in a comfy chair knitting a toy kangaroo.
As for the burqa, maybe people find it confronting simply because it is new to many Australians, different to what we are used to. The closest thing with which an Australian can probably associate is Ned Kelly, and he wasn't wearing his head covering because he was a Boy Scout.. Maybe in time we will get used to it, but I hope that our safety and security are never compromised because of those with nefarious intentions taking advantage of it.
I guess it will always be difficult when two very different cultures try to coexist without a sufficient period of adjustment.
