The PNG Solution

To start with the honest truth - I'm a raving lefty, so it is to my own surprise that I find myself in support of Mr Rudd's announcement regarding asylum seekers being processed and re-settled in PNG.

I am disappointed that Australia has such a poor human rights record, that we treat asylum seekers so terribly, and that they have become pawns in Australian political discourse.  It is, however, a simple fact that 'boat people' are a political issue and there is no easy or quick escape from that reality.  You can thank Mr Howard for that, Pauline too, and the media who used xenophobia to sell content rather than to educate and inform the Australian people.

Whilst our focus should be on protecting those fleeing persecution, the debate has deteriorated to such a point that there didn't seem to be a way that a Labor government could sell that to the Australian people.  We've had nearly 20 years of indoctrination reinforcing the idea that 'boat people' are 'bad'.  Should they have tried to re-frame the debate?  Perhaps, but in the context of the current debate, and all the other political issues at play, wouldn't that have simply handed Tony the keys to the Lodge?

And where would asylum seekers be under Mr Abbott, with Scott Morrison in charge of their interests?  I shudder to think about that.  I believe with the Greens that a strong regional (preferably global) solution is required - but to expect Mr Rudd to pull that off in under 100 days, and then change the thinking of a seeming large majority of the Australian population in the same time frame, is bonkers.  It is a sad indictment on Australia, but with this solution Mr Rudd is protecting asylum seekers from the Liberal Party, from people smugglers, and from the people of Australia themselves.

The Greens objection to this plan seems to be that PNG is such a horrible place that we are subjecting these refugees to further trauma.  It is true that PNG has many problems - but might it not also be the case that by assisting asylum seekers to resettle in PNG, we could also assist our closest neighbours in some of their issues?  And if we're saving the billions of dollars that we otherwise spend on processing and housing these refugees ourselves, then couldn't this money do wonderful things in PNG?

What if some of the money we give to PNG in compensation goes towards expanding their police force so that they can address the high crime rate?  What if this new influx of potential citizens helps build their economy, and drives growth?  Multiculturalism has done wonderful things for Australia - might it not do the same for PNG?

But we can't stop here.  We should view this as the beginning of a true regional solution and an opportunity to re-frame the debate.  I was overjoyed to read many comments online today from people who would like to see the asylum seeker debate move more towards the left.  I've always been there, but I felt pretty alone.  It's nice to know that I'm not.  We also need to increase our refugee intake. 

If this debate has ever really, truly been about protecting asylum seekers from risking their lives on dangerous boat trips, then this solution will work.  If this has ever been about making sure that those waiting in refugee camps are not disadvantaged by 'queue jumpers', then this solution will work.  If this has ever been about breaking the people smugglers business model, then this solution will work. If we can at the same time help PNG overcome some of it's problems, then this solution will work. 

That said, I don't for one minute think that those reasons were true for anyone.  Those arguments were simply useful ways to appear compassionate without actually having to be compassionate.  Now that we've disposed with that facade, perhaps we can actually move towards a real solution.

I applaud Mr Rudd.  It's not a perfect plan - but it's a hell of a lot better than anything else that came before it, and a hell of a lot better than the alternative under an Abbott lead government.  Onwards and upwards Australia! 

Thank you Julia

Dear Julia,

I just wanted to say that I think you did an amazing job!  I'm sorry to see you go - but unfortunately it had to be.

I have to admit that I was a bit surprised that some of the commentators were suggesting that it was a sad way to see Australia's first female PM disposed - but given the way that you got the job in the first place, I think they missed the point entirely!  It was no sadder to see an elected male prime minister go in the same way, and to suggest otherwise is sexist in itself. 

You are right though - the fact that you are a woman was a huge issue.  I loved 'the misogyny speech' - you hit the nail square on the head.  It was absolutely appalling for Mr Abbott to use those words in the context that he did, and you were right to call him on it.  Even in some of the commentary surrounding that speech people were using language like "shrill" and "histrionic" to describe it, without actually realising that these words themselves would not have been used if you had been male.  

I also shed a tear when I heard Rob Oakeshott's valedictory speech - and he was right - your father would have been so proud of you.  Whilst I can't speak for the female population of Australia - this Australian woman is proud of you.  And you were right too - it will be easier for those who come after you, and I thank you on behalf of myself, and my unborn daughter.

I hope history will be kind to you.  I don't think anyone else could have lead Australia through this minority government.  We had such a wonderful opportunity for every Australian to have their points of views debated and heard, but the Liberal Party's 3 year long 'dummy spit' saw us squander that opportunity.  Even faced with that constant negativity, and the bulk of the mainstream media against you, you stood firm and pushed us forward.

So - good job, and thank you.

Regards,
Phoebe

Racism in Australia

Yesterday I had lunch with six highly educated professionals in a flashy restaurant overlooking the Brisbane River. 

At one stage during the afternoon, the conversation turned to this week's controversy surrounding the comments made to and about Adam Goodes.

To my absolute dismay, the majority of the group could not understand why "ape" was a racist slur.   Their comments equated with some of the recurring themes from the week, for example "I've been called an ape before and I'm white so what's the big deal" and also "Goodes is supposed to be a big tough footballer but he couldn't take one little word from a little girl".

A 13 year old girl might not have known any better, and Eddie Maguire was just plain stupid to say what he did, but I had expected better from this group of people.  I had assumed that the ones who didn't get it were either stupid or wilfully ignorant (possibly both).  On the whole, I thought that this was a good opportunity to educate them about the errors of their ways.

But now I'm really worried.  I knew the people I had lunch with, I knew they were highly intelligent (or at least I had previously thought them to be) and I knew they were all educated to a post-graduate level. Surely, at some stage in the 20 odd years that they spent being educated, somebody, somewhere, must have taught them about racism, or at least about the history of the treatment indigenous Australians.  Apparently not.

Australia - we desperately need to have a conversation about racism (and also the state of our education system).  We obviously need to talk about what constitutes racism - because it seems that we can't even recognise it when it is staring us in the face.  We have to keep talking about this and we have to educate those who do not understand.

To all those who have been hurt and offended by racism in Australia - I offer my apologies on behalf of my community, I am sorry, and I am ashamed.

Finally, as it would unfortunately seem that it IS necessary to explain why 'ape' is a racial slur, here it is... Historically, society viewed indigenous people (really anyone with dark skin) as sub-human, that is, not fully evolved.  This misguided belief was used to justify stealing their lands, and their children - not to mention genocide and so much more.

When viewed in that context, don't you think that indigenous Australians have a right to be upset at that word in particular?   When Adam Goodes heard someone yell that word at him, wasn't it reasonable for him to draw the conclusion that whoever had said it was not just referring to his physical appearance but alluding to a whole lot more?  The fact that it turned out to be a 13 year old girl demonstrates how necessary it is for us as a society to discuss racism in Australia.

Miscellaneous Musings

First post.  A test.

I eventually plan to write articles and comment on politics and current affairs.  I'm sure no-one will ever read my crazy musings, but it's hard to remain silent when the world is going to hell in a handbasket...