So the function of government changed in Australia; it was not primarily to keep order within and defeat enemies without; it was a resource on which settlers could draw to make money.

There’s a big difference between running a propaganda event and having that propaganda accepted by the population. Over 40 years of knowing Kerry as a hard-nosed bastard isn’t going to be overturned by a flowery gala event.

On another point: I’ve always understood that “tall poppy syndrome” wasn’t about anti-elitism, but anti-achievement, and particularly overachievers with a burning desire to succeed at all costs. Thus, John Elliott is cool; Eddie McGuire is not. Dick Smith’s millions offend less than those of Henry Kaye or Jodee Rich.

Ah, if only that were so. It used to be so - it was the best feature of that traditional (white) Australian culture that is fading fast, under the impact of economic change. Look at those sickening eulogies to Kerry Packer (ironically, aggressive no-bullshitism was one of the big fella’s few redeeming features).

Of course, those with pretensions to social superiority prefer to refer to this as the “tall poppy syndrome”. They forget that gardeners only cut tall poppies down because it makes the rest flower.