1890s: Federation. Should the six Australian colonies become a nation? What will this mean for trade, for the economy, for the Empire? What will it mean for us as a society?

1900s: Trade. Should protectionism or free trade be the main economic policy driving our trade policy? Should we look after our own or let market forces do their work?

1910s: Socialism. Can the government look after workers? Should we have national insurance? What about the downtrodden? Do we need a national bank. Also, conscription. Is it right to force a man to fight to protect his way of life? 

1920s: Urbanisation vs agrarianism. What role is there for cities in our society and what role for farmers? Prohibition. Is alcohol a social evil? Communism and fascism - is an authoritarian state the answer to the myriad social problems we face?

1930s: Economics. As the Depression cripples our society, food and dole queues grow, some starve and others don’t, what can be done to lift us out of this appalling state?

1940s: War. As the world is gripped by a conflict that has the potential to end our way of life, if not our lives themselves, how do we win it? Is it right to even fight it?

1950s: Communism. Is the Soviet Union an enemy or misunderstood? Where is the line between freedom and tyranny? Can we ban Communism? 

1960s: Rights. Should women be equal to men? What about other races? What kind of society do we want to live in? Drugs. Are they a threat or a recreation? Vietnam. Should we be fighting in a foreign war, sending young men to die so far away?

1970s: Nationalism. What kind of government do we want? National health care - is it right? Indigenous rights - how should we treat our indigenous people?

1980s: The environment. Where is the line between respecting the planet and respecting our economy? Can we dam the Franklin River? Are we doing the right thing by nature? Can we affect our planet?

1990s: Shape of our nation. Should we become a Republic? What kind of nation do we want? Do Indigenous people have the right to their native land? Should we keep the Australian flag or change it?

2000s: Climate change. The world’s climate is changing. Is it changing? What can be done? How can we keep ourselves alive while staying strong? Terrorism. What rights can be sacrificed to keep safe? Were the 9/11 attacks a plot? What role is there in our society for the Islamic peoples?

2011: PEOPLE ON BOATS

Fuck everything.