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More and more I am finding myself going to my friend Alison’s blog, seeing something I like and stealing it for my blog. Some people out there might label it ‘plagarism’ but in my defence I am happily one of them.
Today is no exception. This is unashamedly stolen from her blog.
It is a graphic that was created by someone called Robert Corr and was published at crickey.com
It shows the proportion of people who come to Australia by boat compared to the total population. Makes you wonder why asylum seekers coming on boats got muddled up in debates around ‘sustainable population’.
Christmas Island immigration Detention Centre
Some people, as a by-product of free speech, write really stupid articles about things they know very little about. They base these articles on emotion, fear and unfounded stereotypes. Unfortunately these people are not immediately dismissed, sometimes these people are published on websites that attract hundreds of people who then form their opinions on these issues by reading these articles.
Here is a classic example of this happening.
Unfortunately in this example we read the following line:
“Automatic detention of boat people was scrapped. From now on, those cleared of security risk would be freed while the Government worked out if they were really refugees. And the burden of proof would be switched: rather than make boat people prove they were no threat, the Government would have to prove they were to keep them detained.”
Firstly, mandatory detention has not been scrapped. Anyone – regardless of age, race, religion, sex, mental health state, or history of torture and trauma, is detained in a detention centre in Christmas Island if they come to Australia via a boat. These people are not released if they have passed their security checks, they should be, but they are not.
Secondly, seeking refugee status is not a crime, it is completely legal. Moreover over 95% of people who are detained on Christmas Island are found to be refugees.
Thirdly, if you are suspected of doing something wrong you are innocent until proven guilty. The onus is not on you to prove your innocence but on the police to prove your guilt – as it should be. So why should it be the opposite for asylum seekers. Why should we automatically assume that asylum seekers are a threat and lock them in a detention centre until they can prove they are not? How can we not forward to them the same right that you and I get?
- Especially when you consider that over 95% are given refugee visas.
- Especially when this includes over 700 children.
This is why I have always been uncomfortable with free speech.
Also, make sure you look at the picture that they have used.
The Australian Red Cross is a neutral, independent, non-political, humanitarian movement that works closely with asylum seekers, people who are trafficked, immigration detainees and people who have lost contact with their family overseas because of war or a natural disaster. They do much more than collect blood and respond to disasters.
They have just released their policy on migration – which is a big deal considering the current political climate and the role Red Cross plays within the sector. So much so that I have decided to reproduce it here for you to read. Enjoy
“Australian Red Cross assists people who are made vulnerable through the process of migration and whose survival, dignity, physical or mental health is under threat, irrespective of their legal status. While recognising the rights of different categories of migrants under international law, Red Cross works with vulnerable people including, but not limited to, migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, immigration detainees, stateless persons, people who are trafficked and irregular migrants, according to their needs.
Australian Red Cross works to prevent and reduce the vulnerability of migrants and to protect them against abuses, exploitation and denial of their rights. Australian Red Cross supports and assists vulnerable people who have been impacted by migration, to gain opportunities and to access sustainable solutions for themselves and their families.
1: Restoration of family links
2: Humanitarian support while immigration status is being resolved
Australian Red Cross believes that people who are made vulnerable through the process of migration, whose survival, dignity, physical or mental health is under threat, should receive the humanitarian supports they need while their immigration status is being resolved. Assistance should be based on need regardless of their mode of arrival or their stage in visa determination processes. In no circumstances should vulnerable people be left destitute. Australian Red Cross believes that the provision of appropriate humanitarian support at the earliest possible point and throughout the process assists in resolving the immigration status of vulnerable people.
(AAP: Mick Tsikas)
While governments may determine that immigration detention is necessary for initial health and security checks, Australian Red Cross believes that it should otherwise only be used as a last resort and always for the shortest practicable time. All people in immigration detention are entitled to the maintenance of good health and wellbeing and to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the reason for their detention. All efforts must be made to avoid and mitigate the negative impacts of immigration detention.
4. Upholding Red Cross Principles
While Red Cross may provide humanitarian support for people in immigration detention (including community detention) and other vulnerable migrants in the community, it will not take responsibility for security monitoring, surveillance or other immigration compliance related activities in order to fully preserve its Principles and capacity to monitor the treatment of people in detention.
5: Protection Visa Processing and Independent Legal Advice
Australian Red Cross recognises the right of people seeking asylum in Australia to access independent legal advice and have their claims for protection properly processed, regardless of the means by which they arrive in Australia.
6: Support and capacity building for migrants
Despite the many hardships and barriers they have experienced Australian Red Cross believes that individuals and communities made vulnerable through the process of migration generally retain the strength, skills and capacity they need to re-establish their lives so long as they are provided with support and are given access to the services and programs they need. Australian Red Cross works to support individuals and communities to shape their own futures.
7: Advocating for people made vulnerable through the process of migration
Australian Red Cross believes that advocacy is required in order to persuade and remind decision makers and opinion leaders of the need to ensure and maintain a humanitarian approach to people made vulnerable by the process of migration, to protect them from abuses, exploitation and denial of rights, to reduce discrimination against them, and to increase awareness, sensitivity and understanding of their situation and backgrounds with the general population.”
Most Australians don’t know much about asylum seekers and refugees, how many are coming, what they get when they get here, are there security and health checks, are they all put into detention etc.
The result is that a lot of opinions (and unfortunately policy) is based on misconceptions and from that fear. The media does their fair share of fear mongering (yes Daily Telegraph, we’re looking at you). This is a worry for a lot of people who work in this area or are simply have a desire to know the facts. While lots of people have been trying to get the truth out there it is interesting to see that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have also decided to throw their voice into the mix. It is a public news release from a few weeks back but it gives clear answers to some of the important questions (though unfortunately not all of them). Worth a read if you want to be more informed on this issue.
Plus I usually try and get an interview up on Fridays and didn’t get round to it, so this will have to suffice.
Enjoy.
What do refugees get when they arrive in Australia?
The Australian Government provides settlement support to about 13 750 refugees and others in humanitarian need who arrive under the Humanitarian Program each year. This support could include meeting them when they arrive, help finding suitable accommodation, initial orientation and a package of basic household goods such as simple furnishings, linen, some white goods and kitchen equipment. Refugees are helped to gain access to Centrelink, Medicare and banking, helped to understand Australian laws and culture, and to gain employment. They are provided with English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and may be referred, if required, to torture and trauma counselling services Many of these services are delivered under the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS), for about six months, but can be extended for up to 12 months for particularly vulnerable people. This program is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). After IHSS, refugees can be referred to migrant resource centres and other organisations funded under the Settlement Grants Program (SGP), also funded by DIAC. These programs help newly arrived refugees become self-reliant and participate in the Australian community as soon as possible. The government allocated $316 million in 2009-10 towards these direct settlement programs.
What do they NOT get?
There have been a number of concerns raised within parts of the Australian community that more assistance is provided to refugee entrants than to other Australians, such as pensioners. There is no truth to these claims. Refugees do not receive higher benefits than other social security recipients. They have the same entitlements as all other Australian permanent residents. Refugees do not have their rental bonds automatically paid for by the government, nor do they receive a lump sum payment from the government upon arrival.
What income support do they receive?
When they arrive in Australia through the Humanitarian Program, refugees can immediately gain access to income support payments under the same eligibility criteria as any other Australian. At present, the maximum fortnightly rate for Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment is $644.20 for a single person. The maximum fortnightly rate for Newstart Allowance and Special Benefit is $462.80 for a single person with no children.
Where do they settle?
Refugees are often located close to family members or their proposers living in Australia. If they do not have links in Australia they are settled where possible in regional locations that often provide the best access to reasonable housing and work prospects. Locations are carefully chosen to take into account employment opportunities and affordable housing that is reasonably close to key facilities such as retail shops, medical facilities, schools, public transport and community services.
Do they get priority for public housing?
Humanitarian entrants must also meet the same requirements as other Australians to be eligible for public housing. They are not given preferential treatment and must remain on waiting lists, as do other Australians in need of public housing.
Are they taught English?
Adult migrants and refugees are entitled to up to 510 hours of tuition under the AMEP. This helps them settle more effectively in Australia by giving them skills to engage with the community at large, and to find work. Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides free interpreting services to non-English speaking Australian citizens and permanent residents communicating with approved groups and individuals including doctors in private practice and pharmacies.
Why do we bring them here?
Many refugees arriving in Australia have been traumatised by the experiences that have caused them to leave their home countries. As a member of the international community, we share responsibility for protecting such vulnerable people. Our help does not end at providing them with a new life in Australia. The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that people settling here have the help they need to rebuild their lives and become fully functioning members of the community.
What about refugees who arrive by boat?
Some people confuse asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat, currently mainly at Christmas Island, with those refugees who are resettled in Australia under the Humanitarian Program. There is a difference. Australia accepts about 13 750 refugees and others in humanitarian need each year under the Humanitarian Program. The majority are selected for resettlement from tens of thousands of overseas applicants, who have fled persecution from their country of origin and waited years in refugee camps for a solution to their plight. Boat arrivals who are found to be owed protection are also accepted under the Humanitarian Program and are provided with the same entitlements as any other newly arrived refugee. It is important to note the number of refugees arriving in Australia to seek asylum remains low by world standards. Our share has averaged about 1.5 per cent over the past two decades. The overwhelming majority of asylum seekers still head towards Europe.
What do asylum seekers get?
Asylum seekers who have not yet had their protection claims decided have no access to Centrelink benefits. The Australian Government established the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme, administered by the Australian Red Cross. This provides financial help to those unable to meet their most basic needs for food, accommodation and health care, as well as meeting torture and trauma counselling costs.
Are they given health checks?
All refugees resettled in Australia are subject to strict health, character and national security requirements, which all Australian permanent visa applicants must meet.
What do refugees contribute?
Refugees arriving in Australia face challenges in adjusting to the Australian way of life. Despite these challenges, most refugees and their families settle successfully and make a positive contribution to the Australian community. Some of Australia’s more prominent former refugees include research biologist Sir Gustav Nossal, stand-up comedian Anh Do and his filmmaker brother Khoa Do, artist Judy Cassab and 2009 Victoria Australian of the Year African-Australian community leader, Dr Berhan Ahmed.
For more information visit: www.immi.gov.au
This is an article that was forwarded on to me by a colleague. It is a very interesting read and I encourage you all to read it when you have the time. It is an essay that was written by David Marr for the Monthly in September last year on Christmas Island. But it is not just on Christmas Island, it also talks about the Australian politics of immigration, how we like to keep immigration determination at a good arms length.
Christmas Island is far closer to Indonesia than it is Australia.
Some excerpts
“In a tin shed on Phosphate Hill, a brisk woman from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship sits facing a slight kid of 17. Though Ali Jaffari knows something of what is coming, he is battling nerves. His face is grey. One leg is trembling. His father, Sharif, sits quietly beside him, his head bowed. An air-conditioner thunders in the background. Both men keep an eye on the envelopes the DIAC officer has on the table: brown envelopes that hold the answer to the rest of their lives.”
” What is the audience for this operation? Evans concedes everything done here could be done on the mainland: “It was in the past.” It would be cheaper: “There’s no doubt that the cost of supplying labour and materials to Christmas Island makes it more expensive than such an operation on the mainland.” And he makes no big claims that processing on the island deters people smuggling: “I think it offers a message about excision and a strong commitment to ensuring people who seek to come to Australia arrive lawfully.” So who is that message for? Isn’t this operation really about reassuring us back home that only the chosen will reach Australia? That the boats are under control? That these people are being held, checked and sorted at a safe distance before they’re let loose on the mainland? “That’s not part of our rationale,” replies the minister. “But I think there probably is something in that.” “
“Canberra could send all boat people intercepted near the 4000 or so reefs and islands “excised” from the nation’s “migration zone” straight into the Pacific Solution. But it could not fiddle its legal obligations to those who slipped through the net of air and sea surveillance to reach the mainland. These people had to be dealt with on Australian soil by Australian tribunals and courts. So in July 2003, when a fishing boat called the Hao Kiet almost sailed into Port Hedland, the 53 Vietnamese on board were taken by HMAS Canberramore than a thousand kilometres and dumped on Christmas Island, where they languished for two years.”
“I remember as a kid being taught that this country’s survival depended on putting a wall between us and the hordes to the north. How I absorbed that lesson, I don’t remember. In my mind’s eye, I see big canvas maps on a classroom wall. It was taken for granted then that everyone up there wanted to come down here. They would not be led by armies; they didn’t have much in the way of military forces back then. They would come in little boats. I’m of the generations who can see boat people as the advance party of unimaginable numbers. Let even a few arrive and, God knows, Australians could end up looking like the people of Christmas Island.”
Some food for thought …
