Though Anzac Day is well passed, the Federal Government’s ‘war like’ approach to boat arrivals leads me to reflect on the principles and sacrifice of Australian soldiers in war and how this has informed our society.
We often invoke the Anzac spirit when we talk about our tolerance, our belief in the democratic principles that underpin our society, our generosity as a giving nation, (both in war and in peace) and our commitment to a ‘fair go’.
Australia has a proud history of participating as an international citizen in defending the human rights of others and prosecuting human wrongs in support of the ideal that everyone has the right to enjoy freedom.
That history is now being re‐written in the worst possible way.
Over the last twelve months we have actively abandoned these high standards when it comes to our approach to asylum seekers. Through our actions our nation’s character is being re‐engineered to one that is in sharp contrast to those who have represented our nation in the past.
- Characteristics that will tolerate 157 asylum seekers, made up of dozens of children, imprisoned on an Australian Customs ship for weeks, only allowed 3 hours daylight every 24 hours, families separated for ‘their own good’, until finally our Government reaches some form of human sensibility and brings them to land.
- Characteristics that sadden me when I think how we treated the family of Leo Seemanpillai, the 29 year‐old Sri Lankan asylum seeker who committed suicide in Geelong in June, due to his sense of deep despair, and how his family were denied the right to attend his funeral because the Federal Government, in its wisdom, refused temporary visas to Leo’s parents and siblings. A simple act of kindness would have helped to alleviate not only a family’s distress, but stem the growing impression about a different, heartless Australia.
- Characteristics that are unmoved when thousands of men women and children are residing in tents, in oppressive climates on remote islands under our guardianship without any foreseeable process or outcome for them to hang onto.
Earlier this month, I was disappointed to read an editorial by the New York Times that was headlined ‘Australia’s Refugee Problem’. As Bill Bryson reminds us, Australia is rarely considered by the esteemed Times but in this edition, we were profiled front and centre with the lines: “There is something about the boat people that has provided politicians with an exploitable issue that does Australia’s otherwise commendable record on refugees no good.” When such editorials also talk about ”xenophobia”, “draconian measures” and “failing in its obligation under international accords to protect refugees fleeing persecution”, one knows our international standing is in free‐fall.
Some would argue that how others perceive us is irrelevant or misguided. I would argue that to fail one of the basic tests of human decency undermines everything we have worked for, everything we stand for, and every pronouncement we make in defence of others on the international stage.
In 1999, Australia led a multinational force (INTERFET) to defend pro‐independence East Timorese who were being massacred by pro‐integrationist forces. INTERFET was under the command of Major General (Sir) Peter Cosgrove, our recently installed Governor General. Here was an example of Australia showing moral leadership to defend people who were in fear for their lives, and acting with the generosity and principle that has informed many of our historical efforts for the defence of human freedom, ‘fair go’, and opportunity.
Anglicare has a long and distinguished record of providing support to asylum seekers, particularly to the young and to family units, with many of whom traumatised by their experiences, disenfranchised from the community, and wanting so much to enjoy the opportunities all young people, all families deserve and need. We don’t accept that the characteristics being displayed by these decisions and displayed internationally is an accurate reflection of our nations heart.
Let’s hope that by the time we celebrate the Anzac Day centenary next year, we will find our way as a nation back to the values that were important to those who have gone before us. Let’s hope their sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
Paul McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
