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B ooks an d Authors

Northern Exposure

social project. What limits do you see Margot highlights
on practical transfer of Nordic policy the role Sweden
to Australia? plays in tackling
the shocking
Some of those points are true but statistical fact
the combined population of the five that one in
neighbouring Nordic countries is very every five girls
similar to Australia’s – a little over 25 in the world
million. The number of Swedes born today under
overseas has now risen to nearly one the age of
in every four, reflecting that country’s 18 years of age is
very generous refugee intakes over married. She argues that this violates
the last decade. The Nordic countries children’s right to a proper education.
Dr Powell talks to Prof Andrew have been moving positively, contrary Girls who marry at age 14 or 15, as is
Scott (1981), Convenor of the to Australia’s move in the last quarter the case in Chad and Niger, never have
century away from its previous
a chance to enjoy their childhood years.
Nordic Policy Centre at the multicultural achievements. We cannot They are not allowed to play as boys
Australia Institute and author of simplistically transplant policies from are, because they have to do so many
works including Northern Lights there. However, we can learn from, household chores. On average they will
(2014), about how Australia can adapt and apply the lessons of their also give birth to six or seven children.
learn from Scandinavian policy successful policies, in ways which They do not get a genuine chance
to live an independent life. Swedish
positively align with some important
achievements to improve our existing Australian institutions, values foreign policy helps to change this and
own country. and approaches. Australian foreign policy needs to do so
as well.
You’ve written extensively about what You’ve noted that in Australia we tend
the Nordic nations can teach us in to look to the US and UK in terms Do you have any particular memories
framing public policy in Australia, of public policy comparisons. Is it from your time in College?
including your new co-edited book possible that our politicians will take
The Nordic Edge: Policy Possibilities on board the social programs of the I chose Janet Clarke Hall because I liked
for Australia. What are the key issues Nordic nations, and what ideological the character of the red brick building
you think we need to take on board? impediments stand in the way? with its red leaves attractively creeping
up the walls. JCH provided me with
The proven successes of Sweden, Many Australian politicians are already a warm, secure environment, and a
Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland taking up social policies influenced superb foundation for what I really
show exciting possibilities for Australia by Nordic nations. These include: the wanted and needed then: which was
to overcome its seemingly intractable expanded provision of three-year-old to throw myself fully into a new life,
problems, to become fairer, wealthier, kindergarten and moves to restore of undergraduate student politics and
happier and more environmentally gender budgeting in Victoria and the many other delights.
responsible. The Nordic countries are expansion of paid parental leave in
the global leaders in gender equality. order to achieve a greater role for fathers I made some good friends. My best
They have long taken climate change in raising children. There have also friend was Terry Holliday (1981) who
seriously and they tackle it with been moves towards more needs-based introduced me to the music of Diana
supportive policies to boost renewable funding for schools following Finland’s Ross and the Supremes – and to the
energy and the wide-scale uptake of outstanding success in international satire of Tom Lehrer. I enjoyed browsing
electric vehicles. The Nordic countries educational achievement through its in the very traditional library, which
also achieve good work/life balance and emphasis on equity and on encouraging had a bias towards British History,
tax the extraction of natural resources curiosity and a love of learning. There consulting the entries in the bound
adequately to fund a range of important are significant ideological impediments volumes of the National Dictionary of
benefits: substantial paid parental leave; to Australia further adopting Nordic Biography. I also enjoyed editing the
affordable, quality early childhood policies, such as opposition to paying JCH magazine that year and competing
education and care; and free university higher taxes. These can be overcome, in inter-collegiate debating where we
education. In addition, they pursue an though, when the global evidence of reached the grand final against Trinity;
independent foreign policy and ensure the better services which result from all under the watchful stewardship
media diversity. adequate revenue becomes more of the then Principal, Dr Eva Eden, a
widely known. distinguished Hungarian-born scientist.
These nations are widely regarded
within the political left for their social The Nordic Edge includes a chapter Northern Lights and The Nordic Edge
cohesion, but there are important written for the collection by Sweden’s are available from bookshops and from
points of difference from Australia, recent Foreign Minister, Margot their respective publishers, Monash
including geographical extent, and the Wallström. What are the main points and MUP.
size and scale of multiculturalism as a she makes there?
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