Howard Caves in - changes to detention (2 Viewers)

[hfis]

I have been corresponding with asylum seekers for around one and a half years now. I believe that, among numerous other issues, immigration is being handdled atrociously by the Australian Government. It is a completely inhumane practice, with the issue being kept from the public eye for a long time.
I am amazed at some of the responses I get from people my age on the issue;
"So you're saying I should let illegals in MY country?"
"no they should be left there forever"
Etc etc..
they are extememly ignorant opinions. I guess it's not entirely their fault..the media plays a huge role in politicising the whole issue. It's quite simple:
There are people who are being threatened/in danger in their home country, so they risk their live out of fear and hope to start a new life. When they arrive in Australia, the government locks them up , away from public view, for years on end. Come on- how long does it take to 'assess' someone?? (7 yrs in Peter Qasim's case). It is pathetic . AND now Peter Qasim is only on a TPV..unable to actually feel like he can set up a new life.
Doesn't the Universal Decleration of Human Rights say we will help people seeking asylum? Do we not portray ourselves as 'friendly' and 'help others'..well not when it comes to people with a Middle Eastern Origin it appears.
It is about time young people show some compassion for others. I believe Australia has become a very selfish nation.
People our age need to watch TV shows like Foreign Correspondence, or Enough Rope..something that will open up their eyes.
I think Kim Powell from Enmore got it right today in the Herald:
"The good thing about Big Brother is that with these fools locked away, and more fools staying home to watch them, the collective IQ of pub-goers on weeknights has increased"

This is an insightful commentary on the issue that I have never heard before, thanks for this.

 

[shady_03]

You all say "he won't negotiate with these people, what a meanie", and he did... good work BOS lefty political commentators.

That doesn't go for all of us - this was one issue which i actually agreed with the government on, these people are coming here illegally and are expecting a new life, work, education etc but it just doesn't work that way. Theres alot of people that are actually LEGAL here that are missing out on such principles.

 

[shady_03]

you are an idiot sometimes

^^^^^^^ You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to walrusbear again.

 

[Not-That-Bright]

^^^^^^^ You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to walrusbear again.

Oh shady you stupid dick, you want to call me an idiot? As far as I have seen from each and every one of your posts you have no clue... about ANYTHING. My quote was an attack on the cynicism from the lefties on this forum towards Howard, the government, and anything they do.

 

[withoutaface]

Aiming for 1000 posts eh?

 

[Tarni1]

RE: hfis

Sorry I don't know how to quote..
Thanks for your response hfis. Have you ever thought of campaigning for refugees?

 

[malkin86]

I like that now there are limits to how long a person can be in detention - even if it's not the original 273 days that was repealed in 1994. I like how now we can hopefully have a better human rights record. It's not just getting rid of the system - that would be too difficult to do in a big sweep, but it is getting closer to humane. Good grief, I actually like a policy of John Howard's! It's good, very very good. I don't think it woulda happened without the party-line fracture, but then, since when can you make an omelette without breaking eggs?

 

[Generator]

Limits? There's only a limit to the time in which a person can be left in detention without review, and even then the review process only provides recommendations to the minister. Indefinite detention still exists, and it's now more than ever up to the minister to ensure that a more humane detention process operates.

 

[katie_tully]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Weve-failed-detainees--PM-caves-in/2005/06/17/1118869098856.html

All families with children will be released into community detention

Ombudsman will review all detentions >2yrs

Immigration Dept to report to Ombudsman every 6 months

howard says "We have to confess that [failing to act sooner on immigration policy] was one of the many failings of this Government,"


In all my life, i never thought i'd be thrilled with something howard has done, Mr. Howard, for the first time, i congratulate u, you do have a heart

Oh noes, they've paraphrased in that article. He actually said "failings of this Government that you have written"

 

[malkin86]

Limits? There's only a limit to the time in which a person can be left in detention without review, and even then the review process only provides recommendations to the minister. Indefinite detention still exists, and it's now more than ever up to the minister to ensure that a more humane detention process operates.

Ah, I forgot the red tape. At least there's some progress being made.

 

[Tarni1]

I think Vanstone should go -Petro Georgious should replace her.
These positive changes to the immigration pliciy, although not enough, are way overdue. It is amazing how a bit of bad publicity, embarrassement, letters to politicians can influence the government. So just because you are one person - don't think you can't change policies or somehting that annoys you. These changes to immigration are after thousands of people's voices/outrage came together.
p.s did you hear Bush's response to Hospitals/civilians being destroyed in Iraq? "It bothers me,as does it bother every other Amrican" .. great choice of words..

 

[Tarni1]

I think Pedro G-I-Joe (a mamma mia, a mamma mia) should go, and Vanstone replace it.
Positive changes? By whose definition is it a positive change? You assume that there are people in the government who actually support radical personalities like you. I shiver at the though that there might be some there, that they may take our nation and destroy it further.

The government hasn't been influenced on this issue. Oh wait, they have been influenced actually.. That is how the policy of mandatory detention came into force.

Some "bad publicity" cocked up by some minority dope smokers will not be enough to let you conclude that they have been influenced.

And what do you expect George to say? He can't speak the truth and say what everyone really wants to hear "god damn, why wasn't the bomb 30 pounds heavier", so give him some appreciation for being so nice about the whole issue.

I have no idea what you mean by 'destory our nation further'
The government hasn't been influenced? How exactly have you come ot that conclusion? For years nothing has changed to mandatory detention, for years aus has been locking up innocent people fleeing from danger, for years the immigration dept has stuffed around cases (most recently Ms Rau)...finally it has suddenly changed - why do you suggest this is so? DId ms. vanstone wake up one morning and say 'oh i think we better do something to help these people now instead of covering up lies and treatinginnocent people like ____ and locking them up for no reason..' I dont think so. The reason the process is being changed IS because of the public and Mr Georgious -among other MPs. ANd why did these MPs keep fighting??because they got thousands of letters of support from the publice - including me. And also been changed because of media coverage - it wasn't too long ago the media weren't allowed to go to the detention centres. As soon as the issue was in the public eye- it started to change.
Minority dope smokers?LOL well i think you're stereo typing just a little here...is Petro a dope smoker?what abouy Judi Moyland?? I think you have a very limited knowledge of this subject and who actually fights for it. What about Merlin Luck? etc. If you can tell me another way they'e been influenced - apart from the media, public and MPs - go ahead. There is no other explanation for them changing the rules....I for one am glad that at last they have, and belive that the inhumane pracitce - 'the pacific solution' needs to be qiped completely and another system set up ..maybe one that doesnt hold people against their will for 7 yrs...

Oh yeah-George..give him appreciation for being...what did you say?'nice'??? you say the truth was people..no everyone..(are you meaning everyone in the US..because a lot of peole actually oppose the war there in case you havnt noticed) wanted to hear "god damn, why wasn't the bomb 30 pounds heavier". Another ignorant comment on your behalf. I can assure you, that is not what 'everyone' wants to hear. In fact, in Australia, UK and US there are many people opposing the war - and the numbers are increasing. What - Mr Bush has done a good job in Iraq?? yeh looks great..i mean sure ..there are still terrioists..and the violence has probably gotten worse...but hey - cant win them all. In my opinion , the way he has tried to force a democracy is very wrong. Some countries just won't be/aren't suited to be a democracy. Everytime I watch Mr Bush on tv.. i just think 'he looks so stupid and speaks so stupidly' he always has that stupid grin on his face. oh yeh..being nice about the 'issue' You know that he has killed over 100 000 Iraqi civilians because of this war??
I fully realise he has to give respect - but how about he tries to be more convincible when he pretends he cares about innocent Iraqis being killed by his troops?

With your comments about australia's detention policy - I suggest you look into it before making unifromed comments such as the ones above. If you feel so strongly for the policy - maybe write to your local MP? I don't think he/she would take notice though. Finally Australians have seen what a cruel, atrocious system we are running.

 

[braindrainedAsh]

Interesting article on some of the reasons why the policy is good, and not so good.

http://www.vibewire.net/2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9505&Itemid=71

LOL shameless plug haha.... but researching the article was quite interesting, because in some ways it is a step in the right direction, but in other ways many of the changes are purely cosmetic, or are things which are already in place but will have little impact.

Also it is interesting how some see community detention as the positive, and some see it as a negetive. I think I would actually have to see a place of community detention and the lifestyle people had there before i could make up my mind on that issue.

Edit: someone mentioned the restrictions on media going in to the detention centres. This restriction still very much applies, a girl in my media class did some indepth research in to it. It is not written up as a ban, however it is imposed by GSL (the private company who manage the centres)... you will find it is still very very rare for journalists to gain access and they have to jump through a hell of a lot of hoops to get it. There is basically an "unofficial" ban as far as I understand.

 

[braindrainedAsh]

Exactly, a lot of people believe that these people are queue jumpers or illegals or whatever but seeking asylum is something which is allowed- it is the Australian psyche which has turned these people in to "criminals"

 

[Enlightened_One]

The poor kid has a point. We can't let everybody in because the government (state and Federal) are struggling to maintain the current population as it is. Water shortages, over crowding in Sydney, too many dole bludgers......etc

 

[spell check]

What are you talking about? Of on another planet? *how strange for a lefty to be on another planet*

i love how people seem to assume anyone who is anti- mandatory detention or pro environment is a 'lefty'

i guess it's an admission that capitalism breeds heartless greed and destroys souls

 

[braindrainedAsh]

There is plenty of room for migrants in regional and rural Australia. In fact, we would welcome them. But funnily enough DIMIA have a habit of giving people TPVs and then when they settle in regional areas and are making a positive contribution to the community DIMIA decides it is "safe" for them to go back to their countries now and deports them even though the community wants them to stay. This has happened in quite a few cases lately, particularly with refugees who came over from Kosovo... they have been here for a long time, making a good contribution, but when their TPVs expire DIMIA shows them the door despite community protest. In Albury recently the two LIBERAL MPs in the area lobbied Vanstone to give a family PR instead of kicking them out. Local community members rallied around the family in question (this is in a seat that is highly conservative, something like 70% support for the libs) and still the response has been negetive from the govt. It is crazy.

 

[MoonlightSonata]

I dont measure someones leftness by how environmentally friendly they are, but by how unrealistic they are on issues.

If you want to be taken seriously I'd suggest being a little more impartial. Just a thought.

 

[braindrainedAsh]

I'm that the government could have some incentives for them to move into rural areas... I'm sure most of them would rather live in rural areas than in a detention centre, or even in their home country in some situations. Maybe something similar to those bonded medicine places or whatever where you have to reside in rural Australia for at least 5 years or something. There are ways and means.

 

[Tarni1]

LOL anti-math...i think you should give up. 'refugee' is now a political word because of poeple like YOU. These people are ASYLUM SEEKERS -do u know what that means??? the universal declaration of human rights, numer 14, states that people have the right to seek asylum wwhen fleeing persecution..
your ignorance continues to show up with your comments..
we won't be 'flooded' (another myth which is kept alive by ignorants like YOU). in fact australia hardly recieves any migrants compared to the rest of the world. Migrants are great for australia -their food and culture etc. By the way, i bet your family was once to a refugee.
thanks for the previos ppl for supporting me on this one
and anti-math..if u want to call me a lefty, so be it. At least i know i have empathy and don't hold ignorant, one minded views on the matter