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'Migration reform' rarely has positive connotations when dealing with refugees and asylum seekers. As asylum seekers continue to reach Australia by boat, reforms to Labor's immigration policies point to a more just approach.
The military misadventures of nations including Australia contribute greatly to the motivation of asylum seekers. Australian immigration policy must de-emphasise border protection in favour of being a 'good international citizen'.
Clive Hamilton has characterised critics of the Federal Government's proposed internet filter as 'extremist' libertarians. Like the much-lampooned 'war on terror', the protection of children is cast in emotive terms that cut across rational debate.
The Rudd Government's abolition of the Temporary Protection Visa on 9 August was a source of deep hope for refugees and their supporters. However the new rule has not yet been applied to many older cases, and there is no pressure on officials to act quickly.
Events such as the National Apology and the Northern Territory Intervention loom large in the collective memory. Many of the struggles faced by early 20th century activist Fred Maynard regarding the protection of Indigenous rights remain with us today.
Australia's refugee regime may represent the Western world's worst practice. The Government has abolished flawed and dehumanising temporary protection visas, but a more substantial review is required to ensure asylum seekers enjoy equal protection under Australian law.
The great hope for the Beijing Olympics was that it would persuade China's government that human rights protection is good diplomacy and good business. The power of persuasion would be lost if conscience-bound competitors are prevented from commenting.
The international community reacts rather than anticipates. It was only when hundreds of thousands of people were displaced after the Bolshevik revolution, that protection mechanisms such as the 1951 Refugee Convention began to be developed.
Senator Chris Evans refused a protection visa to convicted people smuggler 'Mr A', even though he was assessed by Immigration as a refugee. Senator Evans had an opportunity to improve upon the previous government's treatment of asylum seekers, but instead reverted to the same hostile rhetoric.
Child protection is about entire adult communities connecting with young people to take on a nurturing role. In Native American communities, where every adult takes responsibility for every child, the guiding principle is that 'it takes a village to raise a child'.
The Prime Minister has said, “We are dealing with children of the tenderest age who have been exposed to the most terrible abuse”. He asks, “What matters more: the constitutional niceties, or the care and protection of young children?" It is not a choice of one or the other.
Cally works as a case manager in foster care with child protection clients. She also spends much time doodling, designing cards for weddings, birthdays … and when feeling perplexed by humanity she draws the odd cartoon for your enjoyment. Click here to see the archive of her cartoons for Eureka Street.
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