Thinking Out LoudTearing down statues is an increasing possibility in our age. So, it matters what kind of statues we decide to erect – especially where our politicians are concerned.
Here, Australia is low-key, compared to the pomp and ceremony of the US.
The Don Colossus was recently unveiled at the Trump National Doral Miami Golf Club, a 22-foot statue covered in gold leaf. Critics quickly compared it with the golden calf from the Old Testament story, where the people begged their chief priest Aaron to make a god “who will go before us”. Late-night host Stephen Colbert called the Don Colossus “recreational idolatry”.
Australia doesn’t seem to have the same problem worshiping its leaders.
A bronze bust of Morrison was recently unveiled at the Ballarat Avenue of Australian Prime Ministers – the second to do so. In 2022, a protest bust of Morrison was installed on Ballarat Avenue. Created using coal-impregnated resin, it alluded to the time Morrison brought a lump of coal to parliament as a prop for a climate change debate.
That rebel bust was removed from display. But we know where it ended up – unlike a gold-painted protest sculpture of Trump that turned up on Washington D.C.’s National Mall in August 2025. One that featured him in a Titanic-style pose with Jeffrey Epstein, and that was removed by authorities within 24 hours.
The rebel bust of Morrison was purchased and put on display in the Ballarat Art Gallery. So we can pay our respects to this politician while simultaneously celebrating the people willing to protest his policies.
I’m grateful for Australian self-deprecation, its dearth of golden statues, and its willingness to put its political controversies on official display. There seems to be less risk that we are setting up our politicians as the gods who will go before us.
This Thinking Out Loud first appeared on Facebook.