I agree with most of this, but the referendum is not related to the other stuff. The people that matter will realise that it was nothing more than a tactical gamble by a Government with loads of political capital to burn, and that the gamble didn't pay off despite the investment. Nobody is going to change their minds about Australia if the No vote wins. If you think that's wrong, I'd invite you to describe how you think Australia is perceived already, and how it would change on a no outcome. I don't think we are particularly popular, especially in our own region. And why would we be? We didn't give a shit about any of our neighbours until somebody else did.
