Today is National Police Remembrance Day in Australia. We remember all personnel who gave their lives in service to our peaceful country. One of many, NSW Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson died in 2012 after being stabbed on a visit to a property for a neighbour dispute. Bryson

Policies should flow from values not the other way around

It is fruitless to debate policy unless both parties broadly agree on underlying national values.

The splendid, gutsy John Gorton - my political hero - who served as Australia's PM from 1968 to 1971. Gorton was a fighter pilot during WWII and never forgot the sacrifice of his mates. He passionately loved our country and had deep respect for "ordinary" working Australians.

Valour is for everyone. "Identity" and politics irrelevant to pursuit of virtue!

One problem in writing about spiritual concepts (like patriotism) is many believe nowadays that once a "good" concept is corrupted by "bad" people the concept itself is now rubbish. So you have to explain noble ideals are still worth aspiring to, even if we fall short as humans.

Virtuous people by their very nature do not boast of their own virtue. Unfortunately this means our social media world is dominated by the virtue-signalling and the non-virtuous. Very important therefore to "hunt down" the quietly courageous and write about them!

Interesting to see how some people automatically adopt the opposite point of view to prevailing narratives just because they are tired of having such narratives shoved on them constantly. Understandable response, however no substitute for thinking for oneself about the issue.

It is very difficult to tell online who is advancing an issue merely for money and status and who genuinely and sincerely believes in their "cause". Creates a lot of problems for quality debate.

Responses to religious/ethnic hate presently focus on offence against individual or group (hurt feelings). This is foolish and makes problem worse. Main offence is against Australia as a nation because hateful conduct undercuts principle all citizens are equal as Australians.

There are two ways of responding to division in a society. You can keep trying to "solve" all the problems raised by different groups - an impossible, neverending task. Or you can focus on strengthening the collective identity and give people something tangible to unite around.

Quite difficult to be a national or State leader if you have no idea of what you want to accomplish for the good of the country and instead spend your days reacting to different groups' complaints and demands.