Baxter Detention Centre, S.A. Credit: Karen Eliot/ flickr
By Simon Hukin:
Well, that’s the apology to the stolen generations over and done with, we now return you to your normal viewing; re-runs of the Howard Years. Yep, that’s right folks, those dastardly people smugglers are at it again. The cauldron has been simmering for a while with this incident involving the Oceanic Viking just the latest chunk to bubble to the surface. Ever since the media cottoned on to the spike in asylum seekers arrivals in early September it’s been a rare news broadcast without an “illegal immigrant” story.
The rhetoric from both sides of politics has been sadly reminiscent of the 2001 Tampa election, only this time the Labor party is having no difficulty keeping up with the Libs’ fear machine. We’ve seen Malcolm Turnbull scraping the bottom of Howard’s coffin for quotes, Kevin Rudd acting like the bully with a heart and the entire Labor Party trying so hard to “get the balance right” one would think they were on a see-saw.
There are a lot of words, and not much action.
The much touted dialogue between Indonesia and Australia in regard to people smuggling isn’t really news, cooperation having been the practice for many years. Even the actions of the Oceanic Viking aren’t really cause for alarm; they rescued people from a sinking ship in Indonesian waters and have taken them to the nearest Indonesian port. Perfectly normal maritime practice, as accounted for by the Laws of the Sea.
‘The Manner in Which They Come’
It is true the magnitude of what’s been dubbed the ‘Indonesian Solution’ has been overblown, but there’s no denying Australia faces a growing refugee problem. However, the problem is not the refugees themselves.
Thanks to the strictures of international law, our compassionate collective conscience and the facts of our comparative size and affluence, it’s clear we have a duty to provide safe and stable accommodation to people seeking asylum. On this both sides of politics agree, at least outwardly. The heart of the debate is, to filch the old Howardism, the manner in which they come.
The vessels in which refugees seek entry to Australia are often little more than rafts; living conditions are squalid, people are crammed in like battery chickens and have little if no basic supplies. People smugglers have to make it worthwhile for themselves, after all. What’s the good of providing food and a sea worthy vessel if it will eke into profits?
Rather than acting to solve this problem (and thus removing a handy wedge issue) both sides of politics simply trot out the same weary old catchphrases we’ve become inured to through years of exposure. Maybe the lack of real action is because they don’t know how they should act, though this isn’t likely – the public service employs some remarkably bright people. Maybe it’s because the parties are so internally divided that action is impossible. Or maybe it’s because they just, flat out, don’t want to. Yet while our politicians amuse themselves with childish pranks during Question Time the problem grows ever larger.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Credit: djackmanson/flickr
A solution was suggested by an audience member on last week’s episode of the ABC’s excellent program Q&A. “It occurs to me that we have a desire to put people smugglers out of business and we have a desire to process our would be immigrants orderly. Why don’t we sell them tickets? … And undercut the people smugglers?”
While rather simplistic this notion has a lot to recommend it.
In Question Time on Thursday the Prime Minister agreed with the analysis of the Indonesian Foreign Minister that the refugee problem requires a tripartite solution, which involves the country of origin, transit nations and the destination. This seems reasonable, but in order to achieve a solution Australia must be proactive in encouraging asylum seekers to migrate through official channels. We need to provide a cheaper, less risky, more easily accessible alternative. It’s simple economics; people will choose the option which offers them maximum utility. At the moment, rather terrifyingly, that’s boarding an illegal entry vehicle.
If Australia established and publicized the existence of immigration processing camps in Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua Niugini and other transit nations, in addition to those in nations of origin, much time, money and heartache would be saved. These camps would provide stable accommodation and security to refugees while their claims underwent initial processing (hopefully of less than two months in duration). Successful applicants would then be able to apply for financial and consular assistance in order to travel safely to Australia. Bear in mind these camps would be nothing like the present immigration detention centres. Applicants would be free to come and go as they pleased and accommodation would be more akin to hostel than prison.
Once in Australia refugees should be granted asylum for as long as their country of origin remains in strife, or as long as they would face danger on their return home. They should also be given the option of remaining in Australia if they have been here for a significant period of time and are either in full time education, full time employment, under the age of consent or parenting. This is just common sense. It’s not worthwhile shipping off motivated, educated workers or parents who wish to remain in this country.
The political reaction to this challenge has been lacklustre at best. The indolence of our political masters in the face of a pressing problem can, in part, be put down to a divided electorate, but is mostly the result of a lack of gumption on the part of the leadership. We’ve come to expect little from our politicians and still they manage to deliver less. In a year dominated by the global financial crisis, climatic turmoil and natural disasters, our politicians still manage to find a way to pollute our air waves with childish frippery. From utegate to hairdryer-gate, cardboard Kev to the antics of “Mad Uncle” Wilson, they never fail to disappoint. The issue of refugees is, in reality, too important to be left in their hands. Sadly, they’re the only hands we have. Gough save us all.
Simon Hukin. Credit: Simon Hukin
Simon Hukin is a student at the Australian National University, General Secretary of the Western Australian Secondary Students’ Association, peripatetic music teacher and general curmudgeon. He is heavily involved in politics and the union movement.
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very well said and thought out. You raise some very interesting points and ideas!
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