This Christmas made me only too aware of how many in our government blithely ignore its message.
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Two recent incidents provoked my musings on this topic. Both involved Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, who at the same time was loudly talking up his own and Australia’s Christian values.
Before elaborating, I should note that my reflections are not in any way to be construed as an attack on religion, faith or spirituality. Far from it.
Now to the incidents. Last week, Minister Peter Dutton called for Australians to defend Christmas against what he labelled “political correctness gone mad”.
This was in reference to a talkback radio caller who claimed his grandchild's school replaced the lyrics of “We wish you a Merry Christmas” with “We wish you a happy holiday” at its end of year celebration. Mr Dutton told radio 2GB's Ray Hadley the "vast majority of Australian people want to hear Christmas carols" as we are "a Christian society”.
There are a number of half-truths and downright lies in Mr Dutton’s rant. Top of the list is his claim that Australia is a Christian country. In terms of religious observance, since white conquest this is partly true, yes, but he forgets that one of our founding constitutional principles is the separation of church and state.
Furthermore, this trio seemed to be blissfully unaware that We Wish you a Merry Christmas is not really a carol at all. It’s a sixteenth century traditional song sung by poorer people to the wealthy in the hope of being given handouts, such a figgy pudding, at Christmas/New Year.
Jesus's parents were poor people living in the Middle East, looking for a place of refuge in a time of upheaval. They were turned away by many until a kind stranger took them in. Soon after Jesus's birth, his parents had to flee when King Herod, a murderous dictator, ordered the killing of all infants in the area. This family became asylum seekers.
Centuries later the transformation of Christmas away from the story of Jesus began in the 4th century AD when bishop (later Saint) Nicholas began offering gifts to little children. Look at it now: a frenzied commercial spend-a-thon cum bacchanal.
Messrs Dutton and Hadley's Christmas spirit seemed to desert them during the rest of the year, when they delivered diatribes against Muslims, refugees, so-called potential terrorists and welfare cheats.
Now on to the latest example of how Mr Dutton practises his faith in the pursuit of his job.
Last week, the Federal Court has found he unreasonably delayed making decisions on applications for citizenship by refugees in a landmark ruling.
The court has also ruled that Mr Dutton erred in rejecting the applications for citizenship of two Afghan refugees several weeks after they began legal proceedings.
The case provides hope for more than 10,000 refugees but worryingly the decision also raises concerns that Mr Dutton could proceed with legislation to make it harder for refugees to obtain citizenship.
Fairfax Media reported earlier this year that a paper prepared by Mr Dutton's department marked "PROTECTED Sensitive: Cabinet" had canvassed options including a revamped citizenship test and citizenship pledge. It also flagged changes to simplify Australia's visa framework and "create stronger controls over access to permanent residency and citizenship".
You don’t have to be an expert in citizenship law to know what that means.