Alexi’s Commentary
The year is 2016 and Malcolm Turnbull has just replaced Tony Abbot as Prime Minister. I was only just getting into politics at this point so I’d argue this was my first overtly political piece that isn’t directly about queer rights. I had also been going through a Pink phase at the time so this piece was very much inspired by Pink’s “Dear Mr President”
The Poem
Dear Mr Turnbull,
Please come over for dinner,
It’ll be just me, you, my friend and his boyfriend.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
I read up on your wife and family,
They seem very nice.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
If it’s not too much trouble,
I’d like to ask for the same right.
Just an open consciounse vote with,
No plebiscite.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
I heard you had a mostly free education.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
If it doesn’t cost too much I’d like to ask for the same,
Please don’t enforce the previous government’s deregulation,
That shit just canes.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
Just like you in primary school I received at least a half-relevant sexual education,
My question to you is why can’t our queer siblings receive the same?!
Dear Mr Turnbull,
I’m not asking for too much change,
I just want you to be down to earth,
I just want you to treat us young Aussies like you and I are the same.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
Not everyone can afford to see a doctor and for some it’s medical attention or the ability to eat,
Please revert Abbot’s freeze and be the leader we need you to be.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
The planet is important to me,
Bring back the carbon tax,
Be the first to make the change.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
Please just turn out to be sane.
Dear Mr Turnbull,
Would you ever really sit with me?…
