The Shamrock Crown

	This painting will hardly make sense to anyone not conversant with Australian politics of the past few decades. It refers to certain controversies which have engaged the Nation, notably the movement for indigenous land rights and the push for a Republic. Both of these causes have passionate proponents and opponents. The person on the left can be recognised as Paul Keating, one former politician for whom I have always had a soft spot. He saved Australia from becoming a banana republic by floating our exchange rate and forcing us to deal realistically with the wider world. One reason that I like living in Australia is that, although such issues do divide the voters deeply, thus far the processes of change have been remarkably non-violent.