Benz World Blog » ACT

The Voice

Jason Benz — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 06:17:03 +0000

Amidst the chaos of the 2016 Brexit and Trump campaigns, I became an Aussie. Here the climate wars were in full swing and politicians were attempting to break the world record for toppling Prime Ministers.

Among the indigenous population, a series of corroborees occurred around Australia. In 2017 they culminated in a gathering at Uluru (Ayers Rock) with delegates from 100 Nations. After 4 days of collaboration, they produced “The Statement from the Heart” A single piece of text and art which would be given to the government instead of a chorus of voices. For people who never ceded their vast land, the statement contained seemingly modest requests; Voice, Recognition and Truth-telling.

Australia’s PM du jour was Malcolm Turnbull. His qualifications for the top job were, being a millionaire with media training and a willingness to write a 7 figure check to the Liberal Party’s election campaign. He was rare among Aussie Polies in talking about climate change but when it came to responding to the statement from the heart, He dismissed it completely. After leaving power he said that was a mistake and joined the Yes campaign. Prudent to judge actions, rather than words, especially with politicians.

Ignored for 5 years until Bluesfest 2022 and the then opposition leader Anthony Albanese, stepped on stage to introduce Jimmy Barns. Albo got a frosty reception and was booed immediately by a loud section of the large crowd. The Murdoch press may fail to mention the cheer he got later when he said he would take action on the statement. Speaking about the voice turned the crowd and saved him from complete humiliation. He was elected the following month, and in his acceptance speech, he confirmed he would put the Indigenous Voice to Parliament to a national referendum.

Political parties took predictable sides. The right of politics was against giving indigenous people a voice, and the left supported it. As the national debate continued the No Vote was joined by indigenous people who thought it did not go far enough. They believe by voting it down, Albo would be forced to go further. The promise of a perfect solution in a second referendum, which never happens, is a trick that has worked here before and resulted in this egalitarian nation continuing to stamp every coin with the owner of the world’s most expensive hat.

Walled Parliament

Jason Benz — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 22:55:28 +0000

This is the Australian Parliament House in Canberra. It may look imposing from this angle, however, it is surrounded by grass and from each corner wide lawns sweep up and over the building. This blends it into the landscape and lets the public walk above their politicians. I was impressed by the openness when I took this photo in 2012. It showed the confidence of the nation. Disappointingly the current government has decided to build a 2.6metre wall to block access as part of a AUD$60,000,000 security blitz. The only threats to manifest have been the odd hippy protest on the roof. When the politicians have finished isolating themselves from the people who put them there, I hope they can still see the war memorial as they need a lesson in courage. Australia’s colonial history began as prison without walls and is now a walled democracy and since covid has become a prison island again.

This is the second of my parliament house images I spotted the ABC using. This time for an Australia Talks promo.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Australia Votes

Jason Benz — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 08:56:02 +0000

These are the Australian Parliament Houses in Canberra. Today there has been a double dissolution election where seats in the House of Representatives and The Senate are up for grabs.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Australian Representatives

Jason Benz — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:05:11 +0000

This is the House of Representatives in Parliament House, Canberra. This photo was taken when the country underwent a series of leadership changes due to political infighting on both sides of politics. The Representatives and the Senate are the two elected houses which make up the Parliament of Australia. In a reflection of the UK House of Commons it is furnished in green, However the colour was tinted slightly to suggest the colour of eucalyptus. The Senate is furnished in a more luxurious red colour.

This image has been accepted by Dreamstime for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Telstra Tower

Jason Benz — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 08:44:22 +0000

This is the Black Mountain Tower in Canberra, although all the Australians we met called it the Telstra Tower.

Burley Griffin

Jason Benz — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 05:16:23 +0000

This is Lake Burley Griffin in the Australian Capital Territory. Walter Burley Griffin was an American architect who was best known for his role in designing Canberra, Australia‘s capital city.

This image has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

Australian Senate

Jason Benz — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:24:34 +0000

This is Australian Senate in Parliament House, Canberra. Along with the House of Representatives these two elected houses make up the Parliament of Australia.

This image has been accepted for Stock Photography at Dreamstime and is available for download here.

Parliament House

Jason Benz — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 05:59:10 +0000

This is the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, which was the World’s most expensive building when it was completed in 1988. It is open to the public and you are free to wander around on your own. It is also covered with grass so you can have your lunch above the politicians. The mosaic in front of the building is made up of approximately 90,000 hand-guillotined granite pieces.

I was surprised to see this photo used on the ABC news to illustrate the Australian Government’s twitter response to Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory. It was not a Stock Photo at the time. It has only appeared on this blog, however, I did put a link to it on Twitter. I suspect this is how the ABC got hold of it.

Since then it has been accepted by Shutterstock for Stock Photography and is available for download here.

National Library

Jason Benz — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 03:42:43 +0000

This is the National Library of Australia in Canberra. Like most public buildings in Australia it has a very good licensed cafe inside. Coming from the UK I found it a little curious you could buy a beer in a Museum or a Library but not a supermarket.

Canberra Skyline

Jason Benz — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:07:40 +0000

No sooner than we crossed from Victoria into New South Wales we found ourselves in Australian Capital Territory. The home of Canberra and the seat of Australian Government. Canberra is an entirely planned city with the feeling of a university campus. The Parliament House in the centre is a low rise structure described by some as resembling a bunker covered with grass. In fact anyone can have a picnic on the roof. This image is one of a series of Australian Skylines which may become a calender someday.

This image has been accepted for Stock Photography at Shutterstock and is available for download here.