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Bali: POV
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The Red Cross’ bombing bombshell The Red Cross’ handling of the Bali Funds served to undermine what could have been a key moment in the Australian people’s attitude to giving. October the 12th 2002 saw the most direct and aggressive terrorist attack on Australia ever. For days after the now infamous Bali Bombing, Australian television screens were littered with images of brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers being pulled out of wreckage, bearing injuries that they will live with forever. These images touched something deep within the Australian psyche because in the two weeks following the atrocious attacks, the benevolent members of our community donated over $14 million to the Red Cross fund for Bali victims. The Red Cross promised that this money would be used in providing direct assistance to the victims. However, the Red Cross failed in keeping this promise for only a small portion of the funds was distributed among survivors. This betrayal of the public’s trust has destroyed what could have been a pivotal moment in Australia’s attitude to giving. Australians are proud of their reputation for looking after the ‘battler’ – we have all heard John Howard express his compassion for the ‘battlers’ among us. But this may not necessarily be the case. Compare Australia to America who, by contrast, is perceived to admire the wealthy and mistreat the downtrodden. In reality, however, America gives 1% of GDP to charity compared to Australia’s measly .35% of GDP – so much for the ‘battler’. Australians have a deeply held view that those in need seek help from the public purse. This is a result of a historically generous welfare system. Governments over the past century have developed systems of welfare for single mothers, the unemployed, disadvantaged, homeless and for those whose parents have died serving the country. Although these schemes are noble and supportive, they have developed within Australians the idea that those in need will always get a crutch from the government.
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