Australia has a few home grown legends - Phar Lap (the fastest horse in history), Ned Kelly (bush vigilante) and the Little Aussie Battler. 

The Battler is the average man or woman, who does the job every day for the wage.  They’ll work to stay off the dole (welfare) but may take a sickie (sick day) especially on a summer day if the Test Cricket is on (sorry, England - we thrashed you yesterday [again]).  The Battler was portrayed by Muriel Hesslop’s father in the 1990s film, “Muriel’s Wedding” - his parody of a put-upon Battler under investigation for accepting bribes was a tongue-in-cheek classic.

But the times, they are a changing…

Last month Michael Chaney, president of the Business Council of Australia, delivered a speech to the National Press Club.  In that talk Chaney recommended politicians stop speaking of the Battler - settling for a common man lowered the nation’s potential.  Instead, we needed to reflect the drive and momentum of today’s Australia. 

Enter the Aspirational.

Chaney recommends we swap out the Battler for a figure with higher goals.  Out goes the Holden and in comes the BMW.  Kill the fully-owned family home and negative gear for an investment unit overlooking the Harbour.  Don’t book a modest summer week at a rental home in The Entrance (popular beach resort a drive away from Sydney).  Get on an international flight to a South Pacific Island (providing they’re not mid-coup). 

“Nous sommes arrivees.”  We have arrived.  Gone are our middle class dreams.  Now we’re focused on locking away the wealth the economic boom has brought. 

Poor Little Aussie Battler - seems he has another fight on his hands.