Missing the vote again

14 Aug 2010 3 Comments

by junegirlsramblings in Uncategorized

Voting is part of being an adult and it irks me that I can’t vote in this country. Having come here 15 yrs ago from New Zealand as a 17 yr old I actually haven’t ever cast my vote in a Federal election. Voting and having my drivers licence (achieved last year thank you!) are two of the things that I have really felt left me out of the grown up club. Actually I’ve now lived here longer than I have lived in any country.

Born in Canada, I gained American citizenship as a toddler then was naturalized by my parents in New Zealand. I actually haven’t ever felt any particular national affinity or allegiance to any nation. Until recently that is. I am classified as a permanent resident but not a citizen. With the federal election next week and the possibility of Tony Abbott and the Liberals gaining office, it is really grating that I cannot add my voice to those that say HELL NO to that proposition. I have studied politics and have always been interested in the process, I like yelling at my TV about the dramas of the week and being part of the commentary amongst friends and in social media.

You see I actually love this country, though I only ended up here after chasing a boy, as you do. I love it’s landscape, the weather, the opportunities, the multi-cultural population. Australia has given me a wonderful, fortunate life that is full of possibility, my children were all born here, I was married here, my mother is buried here. She came here to start anew six yrs after me only to be diagnosed the first week she was here with the Cancer that eventually claimed her, she saw Australia as a brand new frontier with the chance of a new life.  I found my feet here, I have the beginnings of a great career that I only discovered here. I live in a vibrant city with so many options every weekend of things to do, edged by a bay that is clear and so pretty, that gives escape from the heat of the summer and wind swept walks that blow away all your troubles in the winter. I guess I am now Australian at heart, I love it’s native people and can’t wait to see their culture integrated into the society the way Maori culture is in New Zealand.  I love the crazy animals that look fantastically put together, like God got into the good stuff and was having a good laugh one night with his mates when he designed them.

 I care about what happens here, to the environment, to the people who are disadvantaged by geography or the dynamics of their families, to the social inequity in Aboriginal communities and for the children who are being left in homes where they face daily abuse and neglect. I care that big corporations can come in and pillage the land of it’s mineral resources and take the profits out of the country. I care about running out of water and Australia’s part in the game of global politics as well as Australia’s role as a global citizen, welcoming asylum seekers, giving aid to developing nations and sitting at the big kids table in discussions that affect the future of our planet.

 I’m excited that Australia has a female Prime Minister before the US and I don’t see why we can’t show them how it’s done in action against climate change too. Even if the sceptics can’t get on board about global warming data surely cleaner air and more efficient use of resources are as good reasons to tackle the change as any. And the right to marry for Gay and Lesbian Australian’s (while were at it).

So the question of becoming an Australian citizen (the elephant in my lounge room) refuses to go away, in fact it gets louder and louder every year and particularly every Federal election. I am as close as I’ve ever been to taking that step though it concerns me that I maybe be a citizenship hussy. Seriously, enough with the changes of nationality. I see myself growing old here, though I have a wish list of places to go and family that I need to see all over the world. What do you think Australia? though you didn’t have much say in me coming here, do you think I belong in your heart like you have stolen into mine?

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