Spooner in The Age
Reports today that Liberal Party members of the Parliament's Migration Committee have visited Baxter and are now talking about a visit to Nauru. The Scotty Government (Scotty and Rene have been playing musical chairs with the Presidency) is questioning aspects of Nauru's ongoing role in this costly fiasco.
The Family First crew are making representations to the PM on the need to ensure the security imperative does not compromise compassion and humanity.
The ALP's spokesperson, Laurie Ferguson, finally said something constructive - he supports consideration of the sensible approach to the Nauru54 advocated by UNHCR (see earlier post).
6 comments:
I hope the new Scotty Presidency is more stable than the last few. I think some of the younger Nauruan Ministers are being influential in this possible change of approach.
There's still a long way to go, but Don Randalls' comments are a particularly welcome sign, especially given his history on the issue of detention. See http://andrewbartlettonline.blogspot.com/2005/04/good-consequence-of-baxter-visit.html for more detail
As a teenager growing up in this open Australian society, i take an interest in the affairs concerning my environment and that might affect the future. A liberal government, elected by a large minority of Australians has resulted in these policies.
Frankly i am not concerned about Australians character 30yrs ago, Vietnam has developed since and so has Asia. It is a threat to accept people who do not respect our laws and procedures.Rather than money to be spent on refugees that statistically bludge of welfare and do not contribute to the economy with money earned from their work. I still dream of a time when the Carr government will build a much needed damn for a Sydney with the infrastructure of the 70s. It is time to realize our position and what we lack here, the western suburbs are a disgrace not for the people who live there, but for the ignorance of our government towards them. There are more realer issues I am worried and angered about issues affecting Australians, and in a still not globalised world, this is the most important. We must not get ahead of ourselves and our ambitions while we forget about those still here. Although allowing illegal refugees into the nation may seem “nice” it can have real effects to out population.
I know David Adeang (whom I've met) and his supporters are uneasy about Nauru's role in the pacific solution. It is sad that Nauru is in such a desperate plight that it could'nt refuse the money on offer (at least while Scotty and Adeang are there a percentage of it will be spent wisely), but is this the way to model good governance for our Pacific neighbours? Is anyone else troubled by the hypocrisy of Australia trumpeting gratuitous advice to our Pacific neighbours on 'governance', while we sanction this tacky coercion to keep asylum seekers outside the migration zone and the jurisdiction of our courts.
'Anonymous' is not alone in his views, obviously. The PM certainly thinks he has a mandate to bribe desperate countries like Nauru and PNG to see the world his way, to roll out a re-colonisation program, to impose his notion of good government (God help us) on Pacific islands and to commit this country to illegal armed conflict. I suppose there are worse things than being seen as "nice", such as racist, xenophobic and the neighbourhood bully..
the naruan population is more than glad i am sure to be at good terms with their more powerful neighbors. Not an expensive procedure for the naruans as i am pretty sure the australian governmanet is paying for their detention. Is it wrong to expect something in return, i dont think many people will agree. Naru being in the position it is with its phosphate mines in decay would do anything to relieve tension off its economy. It seems that it is only bullying because it is a policy you and a portion of the population believes is wrong. I do not agree this is the best way to help naru. Corrupt and deterioating, i believe aid should cease till it delivers its government to democracy and possibly its people may see whatever money left well invested. Anonymous teenager
Ironically, the local populace in Nauru gets a little agitated from time to time as they see the detainees living better than them in their current impoverishment. Most of the aid money sunk into Nauru has been spent on keeping the power and water utilities from complete collapse and on supplying the island with fuel. Prior to the Pacific solution the only real money Australia gave Nauru was as a result of an out-of-court settlement to assist rehabilitate the damage wrought by phosphate mining through a trust fund. Once the 'pacific solution' is mothballed (as it will be), our Government's interest in aiding Nauru will doubtless wane. 'Realpolitik'- most definitely - but is it the way a good international citizen behaves, especially one that sets itself up as a purveyor of good governance to the region? It is pleasing to see a teenager engage these issues - keep thinking and writing!
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