Tonight I watched Four Corners
Australia is my adopted home of 46 years … as it is for more than 65% of the population who have arrived here since the end of the 39-45 War.
I have watched the Lib/Labs fight over the bone that is elected power with ever increasing ferocity … to the detriment of those they are supposed to represent.
The asylum seeker debate sees them both appeal to those basic human instincts of colour, race and creed.
They curry favour by demonising our suspicions of those who are different.
The racist Liberal government under Howard specifically encouraged a hatred of asylum seekers as a lever of power; the Liberals having gained that power with a false call over “the children overboard”.
Abbot, using this experience, has continually bitten at Gillard’s heels over the downtrodden and frightened; as a result he has succeeded in driving Labor down all the old Liberal rat holes of Nauru and Manus Islands.
Where is Australia’s much vaunted humanity?
We are the richest nation on earth per head of population; blessed and profiting from our unlimited natural resources.
As a result we can afford to spend billions on locking up refugees on islands inhabited by poor native peoples who will take the crumbs thrown from our rich man’s table to be used and abused as a so-called deterrent.
We are governed by the third rate, few of whom have any qualifications other than rat-like cunning and a complete and total lack of integrity.
They are but talking heads whose only interest is power.
They will do and say whatever it takes to hold on to those all powerful levers.
Where is our humanity and respect for our fellow human beings
It is certainly not evident in the corridors of power that is Canberra in 2013.
I am ashamed.
• Madeleine Ogilvie, Barrister & Solicitor, in Comments: In Hobart, I’ve set up regular pro bono legal support clinics. Open to all asylum seekers. 40 people came to the first clinic. Funds still necessary for translators, migration agents, court fees and specialist advice. We need to raise $20k – all help gratefully received. Do you have language skills? Tamil, Burmese, Hazaragi, Farsi needed. Maddy ph 0409001800
