Last week’s US elections present a good opportunity to thank God we’re not America and celebrate that Australia is the best country in the world.  

I am not sure which is more concerning – the campaigns’ focus on the histories of Mr Trump and Ms Harris, or the non-stop coverage since on what Mr Trump’s election as 47th US President might mean for Australia.  I am confident in the Australia – US alliance regardless of who is in the White House but I am very concerned about Australia’s food, water, energy and national security.  A more self-reliant Australia is protected from global trade wars but we are jeopardised by an Albanese Labor government undermining farming, irrigation, reliable 24/7 energy and strong borders.

Elections shouldn’t be about two individuals or parties but about policy. I have been horrified at the US presidential candidates’ personal attacks on the mental characteristics or intellectual acumen, the shallow publicity appearances and outlandish claims.  Oprah Winfrey for instance claimed at Harris’ last rally that, under Trump, Americans might never be able to vote again.

Kamala Harris’ poor character was on show and pre-empted by the now former Queensland Labor Premier Stephen Miles. Both refused to concede defeat on election night.  Western democracy has a tradition of calling the opponent on election night and accepting the outcome.  Ms Harris failed to address the nation or supporters on election night, speaking volumes about the kind of President she might have been.

I worry about what message our younger generations are getting from these ‘leaders’ behaviour and disrespect for tradition and national stability.

Australia is the best country in the world because our founding fathers in 1901 built a Constitution and political system known as the ‘Washminster’ system, taking the best of Westminster in the UK and Washington in the USA.  We mirror the USA having a House of Representatives, Senate and federation of states, but adopted the British tradition of a government accountable to parliament, a vibrant opposition and His Majesty King Charles the Third, not a President, as our head of state.  

Australia’s democracy is the global gold standard – and needs to remain that way.