One of the reasons Australia put itself forward to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2001 was that they year would be the centenary of federation. That being the case, Canberra was the obvious city to hold the event. And in due course, Prime Minister John Howard announced it would be held in Canberra. In the lead up to that announcement he warned the Premiers that they would be wasting their time if they engaged in any lobbying to get the meeting in their state.
Last week Mr Howard changed the decision on the venue. In October 2001, just before the federal election is due, CHOGM will now meet in Brisbane. Queensland is critical to the Coalition’s fortunes in the election. It is there that it faces the greatest threat from One Nation and where it lost the most seats in 1998.
The ACT does not matter to the Coalition electorally. Indeed, Canberra-bashing is a Coalition sport. The ultimate Canberra bash is Mr Howard’s refusal to live here. Mr Howard just does not like Canberra.
Mr Howard said Canberra did not have the facilities to host CHOGM. He should have thought of that before announcing last year that it would be held Canberra. In the weeks before and after the announcement, no-one suggested that Canberra was incapable of hosting the meeting. Canberra could host CHOGM without much difficulty. The ACT Government, hotels, convention centre and other businesses very quickly set to the task. No-one suggested it was beyond the city.
Apparently there was some disquiet about the way Durban handled the CHOGM meeting earlier this year. But there was disquiet about Edinburgh two years before that. And the meeting has been held in Lusaka where facilities could not have been too good. Every city will have some drawbacks. But every city will have advantages. Mr Howard said Canberra did not have enough hotel rooms of a standard suitable for 55 heads of government. Twaddle. It may be Canberra does not have as many hotel rooms right next to a huge convention centre as Brisbane. But it has other compensatory advantages. It has virtually no traffic problems. It presents less of a security problem than an big busy city, such as Sydney where a bomb marred the CHOGM meeting in 1977.
The meeting could have been held at Parliament House if necessary. It would have showcased Australia.
There was plenty of time to prepare. Mr Howard’s reasons do not ring true.
Australians should feel that Mr Howard’s insult to the national capital is an insult to the people who own Canberra — all Australians.
Fancy telling the world that Australia’s national capital is not good enough to host a head of government meeting.
As we enter the next century it is time for Australians and Australian politicians to get some pride in their national capital. This slap in the face to the nation is of far greater concern than any monetary loss to businesses in the ACT, although Mr Howard owes them an apology, too. Hotels have been knocking back bookings on the basis of the earlier announcement.
ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell was right in saying, “”The people of Canberra are proud of this city and want all Australians to feel the same way about their national capital. That will never happen while the nation’s leader continues with this attitude.”
Mr Howard’s attitude to Canberra, the nation’s capital, belittles the nation.