Writing again

The more and more I hear about the asylum seekers, this week about people smugglers getting paid by two connective Government to stop coming, I just have the First Dog on the Moon's amazed face!

So I decided I had to write again.

I must state, my local member has responded to my previous letters with a phone call and/or a phone message and asked to meet. I am a busy working mum and have no idea how I have time to meet, though I probably should. However, at the moment, I think I will have to rely on the form of communication I have available, which is email.

To the XXXX

I know that we have tried to contact each other in the past, beyond email and letter correspondence. However, with the current government’s position on asylum seekers, I do not think I could speak to you in a reasonable fashion. It is awful, inhumane and torturous what is being done to those seeking refuge here, all “lawfully” by the Australian government. It’s not lawful.

I don’t care which government started off shore processing. And I don’t care which government started paying people smugglers to turn boats back to Indonesia. But a good, right and just government would stand up and say, enough is enough. A good government would put an end to the secrecy, the hiding and the ugly acts of violence and torture that is detaining any human, especially children, in desolated and disgusting conditions as those on Nauru island. A good government would seek to stop the issue without torture, or illegal bribes but take a leadership position with our neighbouring countries to look at a regional solution to the asylum seekers. 

There are awful accounts coming out of the offshore detentions centres that even if 1% of it is true, it is still awful. As an Australian, I cannot stand by and let my government feel this is a right response to asylum seekers. It is not! I do not want my country’s  government torturing people in my name. I do not want my country’s government treating asylum seekers as less than human. I especially do not want my country’s government hurting children the same age or younger than my own children for the sake of national security.

This is not right. And there must be a better way.

Regards

STOP

 March 2015 - children telling us to stop

Yesterday, this beautifully written piece by Australian author Tim Winton on Palm Sunday eloquently expressed all I feel on the issue of asylum seekers in Australia. My favourite section (and there were so many to choose from) was:

To those in power who say they're exiling and caging children for their own good, I say we've heard that nonsense before. So, don't do it in my name.

To those who say they're prolonging misery to save life, I say I've heard that nonsense before. You don't speak for me; I don't recognise your perverse accountancy. 

To those in power who say the means will justify the end, I say I've heard that nonsense before. It's the tyrant's lie. Don't you dare utter it in my name. [my emphasis]

To those who say this matter is resolved, I say no. For pity's sake, no. For the love of God, no. A settlement built on suffering will never be settled. An economy built on cruelty is a swindle. A sense of comfort built upon the crushed spirits of children is but a delusion that feeds ghosts and unleashes fresh terrors.

If current refugee policy is common sense, then I refuse to accept it. I dissent. And many of my countrymen and women dissent alongside me. I don't pretend to have a geopolitical answer to the worldwide problem of asylum seekers. Fifty million people are currently displaced by war and famine and persecution. I don't envy those who make the decisions in these matters, those who've sought and gained the power to make decisions in this matter. I'm no expert, no politician. But I know when something's wrong. And what my country is doing is wrong. [my emphasis]

And just like above, I really don't have any idea what the best political solution is but I really want this inhumane, unjust, foul, brutal and dishonest treatment of vulnerable people to stop NOW!

The new senate and news...

The new senate is to come in 7 July. I confess I really don't know what that means except that that there is a real chance that the carbon tax will be axed and that there will be a lot of squabbling for the next few years over different pieces of legislation. I also realise that Clive Palmer will be in the news WAY more than I care to read! (because he has quite a few seats he can bargain with the other parties).

 I found this very helpful to read about the Senate. It is funny and sad all at the same time.

And yes, I did somewhat cheer about Palmer's stance on climate change by supporting emissions trading. I cannot believe I am cheering at anything to do with Clive Palmer.....

Some real exciting news this week is that the United Nations rejected the Coalition's application to reduce the Tasmania's World Heritage Area. *CHEER*

It has been called "global diplomatic humiliation" for the Abbott government by Bob Brown. I would of thought that moment would of been when Julie Bishop was made Foreign Minister! Her international gaffs continue this week. First she alienated PNG, then she outraged Indonesia less than a month later. She has then gone to criticize China (massive regional neighbor who is both a source of export income and imports) then appear to support the Sri Lankan Government who is under suspicions by everyone else in the world for human rights abuses. And, of course, reduce the foreign aid budget by $4.5 BILLION dollars (AUD). But this week she has now invoke the anger of North Korea. They have said to want to "resolutely punish anyone who dares slander the dignity of its supreme leadership". Maybe we will not need to vote the Abbott government out. They may get assassinated by communist spies first. It is a bit surprising that we haven't started a war with any of our neighboring nations (yet!). Foreign policy is a little out of my league, but it feels like the current government can't seem to get it right.

Look out Australia!!!

(Thanks to The Man for this pic)