Does this sound familiar?
To persecute [refugees] is stupid from the purely practical point of view, since it not only creates a justifiably resentful group in the community, but also loses the value of the technical skill and loyal service from which the nation might otherwise benefit. As a matter of principle, nothing could be more indefensible than to break the implicit pledge of civilised treatment ... and by letting hysteria take the place of reason, to betray the very cause of justice and humanity ... Conduct so reprehensible should not be tolerated in this State or Commonwealth.
It sounds modern, but this call for decency in the treatment of refugees comes from an editorial in the Sydney Morning Herald almost 71 years ago: 24 July 1940. The paper was responding to a deputation of religious leaders who called on the government to remedy 'the oppressive treatment of refugees'.
At a time of war, fear of 'enemy' nationals blinded many to the fact that most 'aliens', whether refugees or immigrants, had come to this country to escape the terror and devastation of fascism in Europe and Japanese militarism in Asia.
In a period of rumour and alarm, it must have taken courage for leaders of Christian and Jewish denominations — and a major newspaper — to speak out against the 'persecution of aliens'.
Fortunately there were many, religious and secular, with both the courage and the persistence to lobby governments, organise help for those unjustly interned, and challenge public prejudice. Their success can be measured by the fact that by 1942, thousands of 'aliens' were proudly serving in the Australian military and in essential services.
Now we have another wave of refugees escaping terror and devastation. And again we have rumour and alarm in some sections of the community, and too many politicians who seem ignorant of the simple truths spelt out in the Sydney Morning Herald's July 1940 editorial.
There are also many individuals and groups doing their best to assist the refugees and to challenge the mandatory detention of men, women and children for months and years.
Surely it is time for the leaders of every religious denomination in this country to speak with one voice, so that hysteria no longer takes the place of reason, and justice and humanity flourish.
Dr June Factor is Honorary Senior Fellow at the Australian Centre School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne.