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On 14 August 2006, the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill was dropped by the federal government. The bill passed through the House of Representatives and was due to enter the Senate at the beginning of August. John Howard succumbed to “in-house” pressure after liberal MPs Russell Broadbent, Judith Moylan and Petro Georgiou crossed the floor during the debate. This means that members voted against the Liberal position that aimed to get the bill passed.
This is indeed a victory for everyone who campaigned against changes that would have left refugees and asylum seekers with fewer human rights. Implementation of the bill would have allowed for the offshore processing of all asylum seekers arriving on the Australian mainland by boat. Asylum seekers processed offshore would not be eligible to have their cases reviewed by the Commonwealth Ombudsman and would have to endure indefinite detention. The proposed law would have also meant that children could be put back into detention centres.
But where does this leave things in terms of refugee rights in Australia? Unfortunately things are still pretty bleak. The pacific solution is still in full force, meaning that refugees seeking asylum in Australia are still being sent to Nauru. Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle has spoken out stating the government’s next move should be aimed at dismantling the Pacific Solution.
Visitors to Nauru have reported shocking conditions. Detainees have little to do in terms of leisure. The climate is humid and uncomfortable and the island itself is small and extremely poor. The trauma of being detained in such an isolated location adds to the anxiety and boredom endured on an everyday basis.
The psychological effects of detention have been well documented. Clinical psychologist Kevin O’Sullivan, who provided treatment to 50 asylum seekers during a 12-month contract with the detention centre, found that the longer a detainee was kept in detention, the more likely is was they they would self harm or consider suicide. O’Sullivan stated that detainees felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, to the point of passively accepting their situation. Other symptoms include paranoia, chronic fear and an inability to do basic daily tasks.
So although dropping the Migration Bill is a step in the right direction, we should not become complacent and stop criticising the government’s policies around the Pacific Solution. Let us use this as an opportunity to put refugee issues back on the political agenda while people are still listening.
How do we continue fighting the Pacific Solution?
Check out the related links and get in contact with your nearest organisation. There are heaps of opportunities to help make a difference.
How do I know this?
Oxfam Australia 2002, Adrift in the Pacific: the Implications of Australia’s Pacific Refugee Solution,
http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/refugees/pacific... Sultan, A & O'Sullivan, K 2001, ‘Psychological disturbances in Asylum Seekers held in long term detention: a participant- observer account’, Medical Journal of Australia, no. 175,.
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/175_12_171201/...Related Links:
Refugee Action Coalition (NSW)
http://www.racnsw.net/The Refugee Council of Australia
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/The Refugee Action Collective (Vic)
http://www.rac-vic.org/Brisbane Actionweb for Refugee Collaboration
http://www.barc.org.au/cms/
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© 2008. First published on actnow.com.au
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