Punters are switching off the Melbourne Cup, with a majority of Australians reporting they have little or no interest in what was once “the race that stops the nation”.
According to the latest Essential poll of 1,049 voters, just 11% reported a “high interest” in the Melbourne Cup, down five points from when the question was asked before the 2022 race.
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Despite a lack of personal interest, two-thirds (65%) of respondents agreed the Melbourne Cup is a unique part of Australia’s national identity, down seven points. Just 50% of those aged 18 to 34 agreed.
About half (48%) said it promotes unhealthy gambling behaviour. More than a third (36%) said it normalises animal cruelty, up two points since 2022.
The figures come as an increasing number of brands and sponsors are distancing themselves from the Melbourne Cup and other racing events.
So gambling is how a nation defines itself? Not science or innovation or having the brightest students or the most entrepreneurial business people or producing the most food but gambling on farm yard animals… Wow, that’s weak!
There are several aspects of the Australian identity that look unflattering to modern eyes—gambling and drinking to excess come to mind. These things change slowly but they do change.
Incidentally I do think innovation is a valued aspect of the Australian identity.
Australia’s primary export is being good at pulling things out of the ground and building a housing ponzi. We are not nearly as innovative as we could and should be.
I think innovation used to be part of our national identity.
Nowadays the only way to develop those innovations is to take them overseas.
Indeed. As always when it comes to identity there’s a difference between how we see ourselves and reality.