By Situation Theatre 26/1/2020

Sounds about right.

After a totally legit selection process modelled off the one for the ABC where Scott Morrison just ignores expert recommendations and picks his faves, paedophile apologists, white nationalists, and Liberal Party members are the big winners of Australia Day honours this year, although the distinctions remain unclear.

Shortly after the announcement that Bettina Arndt had been “honoured for services to gender equity”, three ex-Liberal premiers had been recognised for services to privatisation, and the Australia Day Awards are now officially satirical, Morrison recognised his close personal association with moral standardbearers Brian Houston and Donald Trump by jointly awarding them the top gong of Australian of the Year.

The award for President Trump follows Eurovision’s precedent of who the fuck cares where competitors are from, so long as they offer unconditional support for Israel.

The fact that Amanda Vanstone, the Minister responsible for abolishing ATSIC, was honoured alongside the world’s most famous white nationalist, really is a touching tribute to a country which takes a day off each year to celebrate the genocide of its Indigenous peoples.

George Pell will have to wait until next year’s awards for his plaudits.

Help sustain and grow Situation Theatre by becoming a patron.