Australian vs UnAustralian

The issue is a minefield of twonk opinion.

There isn't a soul in the land who wouldn't say they understand Aussie culture, but ask them what "culture" actually is, or how it differs from "values" and you'll get so much umming and ahhing that anyone within earshot will think you're watching the most boring porn ever created.

Spectacularly oblivious people bleat about social differences and integration, but when asked to put pen to paper to write a citizenship test, will come up with "What sauce goes on a meat pie?"

... and Malcolm couldn't even crack that joke, preferring to deflect to the Immigration department as if everyone with a functioning frontal lobe will be happy to trust Peter Dutton to handle something more complicated than a meat tray raffle.

Culture is comprised of ideas, customs and behaviours - but not necessarily those you can immediately identify, and even the interaction between conflicting examples.

Billion dollar companies have tried to understand and influence culture; and failed. The American media is a good recent example.

It's complicated!

Still, I think it's excellent that Malcolm wants to start a discussion addressing cultural divides, because no greater one exists between the fair-go, working class of Australia and the post-democratic culture of lordship and entitlement that exists within our State and Federal dynasties.

But will voters get a handle on things quickly enough to realise that targeting resources at abstract, emotional nonsense is simply a tactic to distract them from the fact their representatives are failing to deliver policy on issues the population has more than reached consensus on (euthanasia, marriage equality) let alone slam dunk legislation to achieve scientifically backed beneficial outcomes (environmental responsibility, drug policy reform), so we can shove Barnaby into a vat of hot vegemite, pin it on the nearest dodgy union official and then get on with taxing the churches; or is it too late?

Tune in next week for why am I even typing this, no-one's probably fucking reading it