Fr Frank Brennan lays out a coherent groundwork should our politicians suddenly say “This is all too silly – let’s get back to a decent way of assessing and caring for those who seek asylum.” He lays it all out in Principles for a coherent refugee policy – Eureka Street.
Category Archives: refugees
Requiem for Shooty
Thomas Keneally, Australian author, has written an open letter to ‘Shooty’ whose despair under incarceration led to an untimely death. Read it at Sri Lankan Asylum Seeker Commits Suicide in Villawood. As a resident of the city that just hosted CHOGM as well as a refugee advocate who has just about run dry ofContinue reading “Requiem for Shooty”
In case your head is spinning…
… from trying to keep up with Australia’s “Stopping the Boats” campaign! The Chasers explain it all:
Expedient decency
Isn’t it funny how the best humanitarian outcome is seen as a government defeat? (See PM concedes defeat in asylum stand-off ) It could have been so different, with government leadership taking a principled stand rather than letting the opposition, a fear frenzied section of the population and empire building bureaucrats seize control of the discourse. WhatContinue reading “Expedient decency”
Time our pollies just stopped…period
I concur. Christmas Island administrator wants end to bickering – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). We have the ludicrous situation where a Labor government is pressing for the most draconian offshore detention procedures with a conservative opposition pleading humanitarian concerns for blocking the legislation – and each blaming the other forContinue reading “Time our pollies just stopped…period”
Asylum seekers: What was really said …
In all fairness, I should follow up yesterday’s post with this: Asylum seekers: Andrew Metcalfe’s controversial remarks | Crikey. Doesn’t alter the fact that we need to go back to the drawing board for fair treatment of those who reach our shores claiming asylum. The secrecy and criminilisation that is current needs to beContinue reading “Asylum seekers: What was really said …”
Are there Dinosaurs in DOIC?
Remnants of the White Australia era seem to lurk in the labyrinthine corridors of Immigration & Citizenship – and they are advising our politicians! Let’s hope that the PM listens to Senator Brown and gives them the old heave-ho! Then maybe our politicians, desperate for sound advice, will heed those with some runs on theContinue reading “Are there Dinosaurs in DOIC?”
High Court quashes Malaysia deal
… but I fear it’s not time to break out the champagne yet. My feeling right now is one of relief at expectations vindicated. The Malaysia deal was immoral even before it was illegal. Today’s High Court decision that effectively prevents the government from proceeding with the Malaysia refugee swapping deal presents at least oneContinue reading “High Court quashes Malaysia deal”
1 is too many
Australia’s asylum seeker detention culture is very much under scrutiny. The High Court deliberates whether it is in the government power to alleviate pressure on the system through a ‘people-swapping deal’ with Malaysia.The outcome of the case will also have an impact on some backup strategies for warehousing refugees in other off-shore centres. And inContinue reading “1 is too many”
Appealing to the ‘better angels of our nature’
As we head towards refugee Sunday, Eureka Street offers some worthy material for reflection, e.g. Improving the refugee debate – Eureka Street. It well makes the point that multiculturalism, the so called bête noir of our times is really of little account. This reflects a lunch-time conversation from which I have just emerged, where a bunchContinue reading “Appealing to the ‘better angels of our nature’”
Wondering Pilgrim 