You might think it was due to her performance as Immigration Minister, but no, thats not it at all. Regardless of all the cockups in her department, John Howard was perfectly prepared to stand by her as minister. Just like he’s backed Philip Ruddock all the way … and Ruddock was the minister under who’s stewardship nearly all of the detentions and deportations of Australian citizens actually occurred - Vanstone has mainly been the one trying to clean up his mess.

What really got Amanda sacked from the ministry was the day she gave Howard a preview of her efforts at writing a new national song. She thought we needed a serious song to go along with “Advance Australia Fair”, something more weighty than “Waltzing Matilda” and “True Blue”. When she rocked into the PM’s office and launched into song, that was the final straw - career ending move for her.

Sung to the tune of “Land of Hope of Glory”, here is her song, “Under Southern Stars”:

Home to first Australians,
Joined from near and far,
Shining light for freedom,
Under Southern Stars.

Nation made of many,
Bound in hope as one,
Building for the future,
Under Southern Sun.

Free and Friendly Nation,
Born of our own hand,
Peace our greatest virtue,
Mighty Southern Land.

Valiant into Battle,
Courage to the end,
Standing firm for freedom,
Loyal southern friend.

Nature’s earthly heaven,
Glory for our eyes,
Ours alone those treasures,
Under Southern Skies.

Shining light for Freedom
Under Southern Stars.

Obviously, there’s been no serious issues to deal with in the Immigration portfolio over the time Amanda was minister.

If you want to truly savour her creativity, there’s a link in the article I’ve linked, and you can listen to the song …I haven’t been game enough to subject myself to it. If you can bring yourself to have a listen, please leave a comment to let me know what you thought.

Technorati Tags: Amanda Vanstone, Immigration, national anthem