It’s time for positive politics

The Right believe that if enterprise and innovation can flourish, the disadvantaged and needy will be thrown a bone through jobs and the distribution of tax revenue. The Left believe that big government with lots of money to throw at social programs will enable the disadvantaged and needy to get by as pain-free as possible.

But politics, like every other human endeavour, is meant to be about progress. It does not take a great thinker to tell you that clinging to the status quo is not the most effective path to progress. As the compassionate Robert F. Kennedy once said: “The future does not belong to those who are content with today …”

All through history, progress has come from individuals looking at the world a little bit differently, and using that vision to make a difference. My parents could tell you that without ever having stepped into a university lecture theatre. The Left and Right are concepts that do not come into the mix when building a business and working towards a better life.

It would not be adopting a novel position to say that the concepts of “Left” and “Right” should be removed from the political vocabulary. A number of political observers over the years have recognised the absurdity of the Left-Right distinction, particularly in contemporary politics where the major political parties dart between Left and Right as convenience dictates.

But what is missing is a clear picture of where politics should be headed in the absence of Left and Right. In my view, the answer lies in returning to the grass roots and appreciating that politics is about people.

Over the next five years, rather than continuing to be burdened by two sides of politics, we should work towards one side - a side truly focused on the people.

Instead of Left and Right, I believe it is time for what I call “Positive Politics”.

Positive Politics is about emphasising and fostering the positive strengths and virtues inherent in all Australians.

My parents were fortunate enough to utilise their personal strengths and virtues in building a successful business, gaining new skills along the way, and providing for our family’s future. Other Australians will naturally utilise their strengths to direct their life so as to achieve whatever dreams they hold.

But many Australians are not so fortunate. They dream. They hope. They do not want to be dependent on big government. But they are missing the key which will unlock their strengths.

Inspiration and hope have disappeared from the political vocabulary. Many commentators consider the concepts to be vacuous, indeed embarrassing. As Tom Cruise’s character said in the movie Jerry Maguire: “We live in a cynical world … a cynical world!”

Positive Politics would change that. Positive Politics would demonstrate that the concepts are not puffery, but rather have real value. Inspiration and hope give Australians the strength necessary to re-craft their lives to achieve their dreams.