Shame Australia, shame

We led the way in good governance. We'd inherited the great Westminster system. We upheld the rule of law and ministerial accountability. We believed in human rights and made it law. Our public service was staunchly independent, like our judiciary. We were the model nation, an example to the world.

In a region where despots rule, violence influences votes and states fail we could help a struggling democracy. It was our duty.

When Australia supported the East Timor referendum we were still in front. The issue was clear: Indonesia was in the wrong, disgracefully so, and Australia in the right.

We took the moral high ground and risked war. We upheld the great Australian principle – we did the Right Thing. We led the world and stood tall.

No longer.

It's time to apologize to the Indonesian people and confess that all the knowledge and wisdom we've been smugly offering is now dross. In truth we are as base as those venal politicians who run the Republic for themselves.

We cannot show leadership because we've abandoned that ideal. We cannot teach ethics because we've been gutted of that quality through our inability to fix the asylum seeker problem that has killed hundreds and brought anguish to thousands.

A difficult situation? Yes, extraordinarily so, complex and tangled. Beyond solution? No, given intelligence, goodwill, honesty, a determination to put the preservation of life above political career – and leadership.

We've long been the Lucky Country, rich in resources, young and free as the anthem says. Happy to rest on our record of excellence.

Zip back the body bags of the drowned and see the results, the decomposition of political leadership.