Former prime minister Malcolm Fraser sent the following letter to Immigration Minister Chris Bowen last week …
One of the consequences of the demeaning debate about asylum seekers has been the enormous pressure put on non-government organisations trying to fill a major gap to meet the basic needs of people who have absolutely nothing, asylum seekers who are destitute with virtually no support from government. It almost appears as though each aspect of government policy, which your government largely inherited, is also part of the general policy of deterrence.
The High Court decision now provides an opportunity to return to principle, to return to decency and establish a policy in which the majority of Australians could be proud. The recent Nielsen poll that despite the political debate, suggested that 53% of Australians supported processing onshore, is a remarkable commentary on the attitude of Australians having in mind the views of both major political parties.
If one of those major parties supported the humane approach and onshore processing, I believe that figure would rise remarkably and Australians could again be proud of their humanitarian program.
That would also enable the root and branch reconstruction of onshore support for new settlers. I have long believed something like a new Galbally Report on Post Arrival Services for people who have just come to Australia is long overdue. Circumstances have changed so much since 1977.
I have never believed in the policy of deterrence. I do not believe even the harshest of measures devised by the Labor Party or by the Liberal Party can match the terror, the harshness, the poverty of events in countries from which people flee. That is the motivator for people to get on boats. While that motivator remains, there will always be some people who provide boats.
Many of the refugees who came here in the immediate postwar years had to pay some people for some part of their journey either from Eastern Europe or out of the Soviet Union before they could get to Australia.
The High Court decision gives the government an opportunity to seize the high ground and fight it strongly on the basis of principle. While such a policy would be supported by many in the Labor Party, I know it will also be opposed by those who agree with John Howard’s view on these issues. I understand the internal differences, but it is worth an effort, it is worth a stand.
It would provide a better opportunity to break through the current morass in which the government finds itself.
54 thoughts on “Malcolm Fraser: High Court offers govt chance to seize high ground”
fred
September 21, 2011 at 2:40 pmAttention please. This was an article that deserves thoughtful comment, not the tit for tat about past wars. Thousands of asylum seekers escaping war are trapped in neighbouring countries because refugee resettlement countries like ours and NZ put a quota on the numbers, forhgetting our Humanitarian Program is for humanitarian reasons. Take a few more who have done the right thing and registered with UNHCR (our offshore processing agent) and have proven their claims of persecution so bad, that going home is not an option. Fraser and Co had the sense to take 20 000 Indonchinese refugees one peak year and here, 30+ years later, we have just this year increased the refugee component to 7 000 men women and children. Wars ebb and flow. So do the stream of persecuted and dispossed people fleeing them . So are the waves of asylum seekers desperate enough to take the boat option be4cause there is no viable other option.
Wake up Australia. Recognise the gift to our nation made by gutsy, desperate folk who have lost their country and want to make a new life and be part of our multicultural success.
peter barrett
September 21, 2011 at 10:22 pmAt last, a shining light in the gloom of petty politics surrounding the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers. Australia won big time with the post war immigration of the Italians and Greeks; the Vietnamese we welcomed warmly at the end of the Vietnam war. What a richer society we have become because of them. My best friend is Australian born, an ethnic Tamil, his parents came from Sri Lanka. What beautiful people. Afghans, other eastern refugees, Africans from Nambia and other troubled states, I welcome them. Don’t lock them up for years inducing mental problems and self harm – what sort of future citizens will they make? Give them visas and allow them to merge with our society. What rubbish are the beliefs they will cause civil strife; they can only enrish all our lives. Both Labor and Liberal parties are pandering to the minority rednecks. That’s not leadership, no way to have Australia stand tall. I voted against the Howard government because of the Tampa incident, now I find Gillard is worse in her asylum seeker policies. Australia needs politicians with high moral standards, not the kowtowing and internationally embarassing actions of our current “leader” and alternate. Malcolm, you are a true statesman, you haven’t sold your soul and I wish you were back. Shine on, keep up the pressure.
AR
September 21, 2011 at 10:40 pmThe great fallacy of racism & xenophobia is the anthropological axiom of “marry out or die out”.
Bring on a latte/cafe aulait complexioned population.
Liz45
September 23, 2011 at 10:38 am@[email protected] – Indeed! I feel ashamed when I watch Parlt Question Time. The two major parties arguing about the same side of the one coin – but still carping on as though there are differences – disgusting and demeaning. Yesterday?there were school children in the gallery. I groaned in anguish! Neither side give a zot about human beings particularly children. How adults who boast of this country’s traditions blah blah blah can then do what they intend to do is beyond me.
It’s time that other avenues are ignored; emphasis placed on the need for a short processing time while applicants live in the community, where kids go to school and live like kids should – with loving family members devoid of agitation and anxiety.
We have laws in this country re children even hearing violent arguments etc – it is now considered a form of child abuse, as it is. But, we allow kids to witness people being dragged away bleeding, or screaming or ?? We’ve put kids in isolation as young as 5; we’ve put a mother and little ones in solitary and denied them the right to use a toilet; we’ve made women line up and request sanitary requisites and napkins for their babies; a refusal to have access to food outside meal times – which is vital in order to care for kids who may be asleep or? when meals are held etc. A total disgrace, and for this we pay more than if they were in more humane housing – community living near schools and health outlets.
Politicians know that what they’re doing is appalling. The use of this as a political campaign for re-election etc is a blot on all of us. I feel disgusted and ashamed. In my extended family there’s 16 different nationalities – from an original Irish ancestry on both sides of a large family. I have refugees from Central America in my immediate family – have been citizens for 17 yrs, and we’re lucky that they’re here!