by Neville Kennard, preaching and practising capitalist

The concept of the separation of Church and State is a well-known rule to Classical Liberals, even if it observed mostly in the breach. A religion, it is said, is a cult that has gained political acceptance. Many such cults have gained such political acceptance and they gain special privileges from the governments who have “accepted” them. Tax breaks is the most conspicuous privilege that the religious cults gain. The Pope’s visit to Australia a couple of years ago gained tax-payer-funding from NSW State and Australian Federal Governments. I heard no words of objection from any Oppositions. Would this be because there are votes at stake? Surely not!

Sport, too, is a “Religion” to some, so it should not be surprising that the sports cultists should seek political and tax-payer support. Many sports have their hands out to governments for tax-payer funds and support.

The worst example of State and tax-payer support is for the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is notorious for questionable and corrupt practices. (What would you expect when tax-payer funds are handed around?). The Olympic-crats are adept at massaging their cause to politicians, painting pictures of “National Interest” and “Economic Benefit”. Thus hundreds of millions of dollars can be handed out to fund Olympic Games. Who would know where it goes?

The latest sporting event to be pursued by governments around the world has been the Football World Cup for 2018 and 2022. Luckily, Australia missed out; but not before some very adept and polished lobbying by businessman and political benefactor Frank Lowy. No doubt a goodly amount of tax-payers’ money has already gone into the failed bid, but this is a lucky let-off for Aussie tax-payers. The congregation of the Church of Football (soccer, that is) would no doubt be disappointed that their local priests did not get to hold the services in their Australian temples. Let Russia, Qatar and whoever can conjure up the money from their government have it.

Motor racing, it seems, is a “sport” that politicians can’t say no to. Formula 1 can get tax-payers’ money without a lot of effort. Is it the roar of a potent engine, the smell of high-octane fuel that give politicians an erection? Do female politicians also get turned on by this most male of sports? Motor racing must be the most politically-incorrect, carbon-generating, “unsustainable” (whatever that means), sport/spectacle but even fairly green-credentialed pollies stump up with their tax-payers money for this roar of the engines and the crowds. It is a “Circuses” part of the old Roman Bread and Circuses for the masses.

The Australian Institute of Sport in ACT costs tax-payers millions of dollars, yet most Aussies like it. They like to see their sports men and women wearing the national flag, getting medals and helping them feel good about themselves. It’s a “tribal” thing I expect. Makes us proud of our Tribe. I like to watch the Wallabies play, and sometimes win. I would like it more if I did not involuntarily support the game with my tax dollars.