Australia’s national costume, at least according to the organisers of the APEC conference, is a Drizabone raincoat and an Akubra hat. That’s what was given to the leaders attending the conference in Sydney for the fancy dress photo.

Very predictable. And reflective of folklore about Australia, the bush, mateship and a whole lot of things that are somewhat dated, and from a romantic view of our history. Very little to do with modern Australia.

In the spirit of conforming to the image of Australia the government wants to portray to the world, I suppose I’d better break out the Drizabone, put on the Akubra, saddle my horse and go to work out on the farm.