My letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Morrison and my local member... Dear Sir, I have never written a letter to my government before however events surrounding the recent turn back of 153 Sri Lankan asylum seekers compel me to do so. I write to say I am distressed and ashamed at the way my government is treating those seeking asylum in our country and call my government to make immediate changes to its policies as it seeks to “stop the boats”. This government’s claim it has “stopped the boats” is now shown to be a farce. This current episode of firstly 41 asylum seekers being handed back over to Sri Lankan authorities and secondly the threat to hand the current 153 asylum seekers back shows that the government can only maintain its boasting through a cynical, immoral and inhumane exploitation of a technical loop-hole - refusing asylum because they were caught and turned back before they made it into our immigration zone. Further I do not see how the government can claim it is saving lives. The vast majority of asylum seekers are found to be genuine therefore current policies of turning back boats is to return mostly genuine refugees back to a perilous situation. The Abbott government’s boast of saving lives will undoubtedly one day be shown to be a tragic and shameful lie. In addition the claim of “enhanced screening” in the processing of the 41 asylum seekers at sea makes a mockery of the process and reveals injustice as on the other hand our government is unable to process many, including children, currently being held in immigration detention centres. Finally, the manner in which our government is giving account to its citizens in this matter is deplorable. The claim of secrecy based on operational matters has not been or can it be justified. Our government must act immediately on these matters. Of immediate concern, the current boat load of 153 should immediately be taken to one of our processing centres where their safety and health can be assured and their claims to asylum be immediately processed. Secondly, and long overdue, I would like our government to release all children currently held in immigration detention centres. Thirdly, our government should immediately adopt a more transparent and open stance in this policy area. Finally, I want our government to find a more gracious and generous way of managing those who seek asylum, by whatever means, in our country. Again, as the vast majority of asylum seekers are found to be genuine, our government should immediately modify its policies to ensure that asylum seekers’ first experience of our nation is one of compassion, generosity and welcome. In the end we are all boat people to this land and “we have boundless plains to share”. The citizens of this country demand no less of its representatives. Yours Sincerely, Paul O’Brien
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 09:52:47 +0000
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