TASMANIA is holding out for hero.
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They've got to be strong, they've got to be fast and they've got to be prepared to fight.
Given the smears on Tasmania in the recent weeks - that a third of us are on welfare, that we're Australia's basketcase and that we're technically in a recession - there is a lot of focus on the state to Do Something.
It has always been said that when you find yourself in a mess, you should step back, take a deep breath and "woosah".
To borrow a phrase from Alf Stewart, Tasmania needs to stop running around like a flamin' chook with its head cut off.
It is time to re-examine the state, what we have and what we can do with it.
Think: if Tasmania was discovered tomorrow, what would we do with it?
Would we go down the same path of forestry? Or would the forests be preserved to be admired for decades to come?
Maybe we would build the Dubai of the southern hemisphere. (But let's hope not, the world only needs one.)
Perhaps Tasmania would become an idyllic island paradise, affordable only by the rich and famous and those good at trading stocks and things.
Someone (maybe Clive) would raise the idea of connecting Tasmania to the northern island, just as many have done before.
We could build that bridge.
Nay, make it a tunnel.
Nay, make it a glass tunnel.
Like an aquarium that gets you somewhere.
Before you know it, we're the Gold Coast without the sun.
These are not the answers (or are they?!) but it is time to start thinking fresh.
The definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Which means we're essentially living in a constant Mad Hatter's tea party.
We cannot continue down the path that we are on, that's clear.
It is time to stop trying to replicate the past - it's over, it's done. There has been a lot of pain and loss for a lot of people with the decline of once-booming industries, let's not ignore that.
We need to heal and renew, lest we fester.
I wish I knew what the answer was. A lot of people do.
We are not going to find that mythical unicorn of an answer by denying the harsh realities that Tasmania is experiencing right at this moment.
Denial doesn't help, either.
Whenever someone points out a flaw in Tasmania - like that we're bogans or we rely a lot on welfare - people are quick to howl in protest.
We need to acknowledge and accept the inconvenient facts and figures so that we can begin working on turning them around.
It cannot be up to just the government to throw wads of cash at drowning industries, everyday Tasmanians need to take control of their futures, too.
We can start by having discussions, honest discussions about what works and what doesn't work.
Conversations between the working class, the welfare-dependent and the government.
Put aside past prejudices and status quos.
We've got to take off our blindfolds and put on our capes and be our own heroes.