There seems, according to media headlines, to be some sort of strange genetic mutation going on – people who are, in fact, boats. My main concern with this astonishing turn of events in the evolutionary chain (my apologies to those left behind in the intellectual evolution, i.e. who don’t believe in evolution) is that the very same media outlets are ignoring the more populous mutant group of Airplane People! These bionic winged creatures outnumber their aquatic kin by almost 3:1!
But seriously folks...How much longer are we going to be hung up on the less than one thousand individuals (on average) attempting to enter the country illegally (by boat) per calendar year? How quickly we forget the Global Financial Crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we ignore the major issues surrounding mental health in Australia and an ever rising youth suicide rate...not to mention the fact that it seems that we have to re-mount a case for action to combat manmade climate change.
I would like to put Boat People in context: the Australian Parliamentary Library released a report last year, which shows the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat per financial year since 1989. And yes, there has been a significant increase in the last year; since 1989, 2007-08 (1033) ranks 6th and 2008-09 (4916) ranks 1st highest influx, but how does this measure against the total number of asylum seekers and other legitimate immigrants?
Just under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIaC) Economic Migration policy (skilled workers visa scheme etc.) there were 114 777 visas issued in 2008-09. 13 507 visas (of various length and condition) were issued under the Humanitarian Program in 2008-09. All up 171 000 people were issued visa’s; which means, even if all Unauthorised Boat Arrivals (Boat People) were granted protection visa’s it would represent 36.3 percent of total humanitarian immigration approvals, but only a miniscule 2.9 percent of total immigration!
This brings me to my next point: targeting/ treating Unauthorised Boat Arrivals differently to those that arrive via other means (authorised boat arrivals, Airplane People), is essentially discrimination on the basis of economic standing, and a breach of human rights itself.
I haven’t offered any answers here, but ultimately I believe that absent the media scaremongering and hype and the unnecessary politicisation, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and competent compassionate public servants (and I know you are out there!) would be more than capable of addressing the issue. As it is, I am sure that millions more dollars are spent than is necessary, particularly on public relations and the state of the art media monitoring centre at DIaC headquarters.
Finally, I remain quite proud (note: does not equal patriotic! Patriotism, as they say, is the last bastion of the scoundrel) that these unfortunate souls consider that our country is the destination of choice to seek safety, raise their family, and contribute to society.
Welcome to Aus
Zen
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