Interview
The title is of course about Sydney Harbour, but is there more to it?
Yes. As well as its literal meaning of terrorists on the harbour, the book also explores the idea of terrorists amongst us. So its about harbouring terrorists in our midst.
What’s the story about?
Luke is a teenage radio announcer at his local community radio station. Bilal is his friend and co-host on the show. Luke meets Bilal’s uncle who is a terrorist (not that Luke knows it at the time). ASIO and MI5 want Luke to spy on Bilal’s uncle and pass them information.
Luke finds himself in the middle of a tug-o-war between vastly different viewpoints. He not sure who is right.
There is a plot to kill the heir to Britain’s throne. Will Luke work out what’s going on before it’s too late?
On the cover blurb you pose a question about the difference between terrorists and freedom fighters. What do you think is the difference?
Where you live. By that I mean, if you live in a country that has been invaded, and you fight for independence, then to your countrymen you are a freedom fighter, but to the invaders you may be a terrorist.
Northern Ireland, until recently was like this. Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair were responsible for turning that situation around. Good on them. There so many countries around the world still facing this sort of problem.
That's war time, but in peace time the same kind of thinking still takes place. If you live in an underprivileged society and there is an invasion of your culture or your financial system, you might see it as the same as a physical invasion.
I don't agree with terrorism, but I can see the reasons for it and I think as nations, as media people, and as business people, we have to be sensitive to what we see as valid expansion of our interests, but others may see it as an invasion of their culture, their religion or some other part of their society.
I’ve travelled a lot around the world and I have observed that Australians are generally well respected because we are sensitive to people's cultures and don't try to ram our own ideas down anyone's throats. In all sorts of international partnerships, Australians are more likely to respectfully share our experiences, listen to their experiences and seek to build lasting good, rather than just tell people 'do it this way.'
So I think an Australian perspective on these topics can be pretty open minded. That is what I am exploring in the book.
What about the main character, Luke. How does he interact with this point of view?
A bit like Hamlet, Luke is confused as he tries to work out who are the good guys and who are the bad guys, what are the right and wrong answers. But, because there are no clear right and wrong answers that he can see, no clear cut good and bad guys like on tv, he is confused.
In is confusion he is vulnerable. He can be tricked. That's an important premise of the story.
Luke is just like any other 15 year old boy, but he finds himself in the middle of a terrorist plot that will change his life.
Are there other themes and issues as well?
Yes. Because I work in media, I have explored some media themes in the story. They call it 'citizen journalism,' when someone involved in something files a story from the media devices we al carry... mobile phones, back to a traditional news outlet. This is a trend in media that can only grow. It is good for democracy and good for media literacy that this happens more often, so I have put it in the book.
I'm also interested in the modern history of our near neighbours in Asia, so I have touched on that and also on the ethical dilemmas of international espionage.
You once worked at the British Consulate. Did you ever meet any spies?
I don’t know, I never asked them. Most people who work in Embassies are just ordinary people.
The novel is set in a community radio station. Why did you choose to make Luke a radio announcer?
One of the things that sets the Australian radio industry apart from others in the world is that we have a very healthy and well balanced set of stations. The community radio sector balances out the views of the other two sectors,commercial radio and publicly funded radio, so it is easier to get alternative viewpoints on many subjects.
Community radio also empowers anyone who wants to have their voice heard. The power of community radio to support people who are in need of help or who have a view that is not being heard cannot be underestimated. I have seen some incredible personal transformations happen to people who have joined community radio stations. It is a sector that does so much good and is often undervalued.
Steve Ahern is available for conferences and school visits to lead discussion on topics in this book, or to talk about media literacy. He is a well known conference speaker and was once a school teacher. See the Teaching Notes page for more details of how to use the book in your classroom.
