Nauru detention centre (Image from YouTube : Video uploaded by Sky News Australia)
By Jane Salmon
Dear Messrs Burke and Albanese,
I enjoy the support of Labor in many areas of my life. Education, social security, health, disability supports … the list is long.
I am grateful.
I hate Dutton with a passion generated when he lied and wheedled about the refugees he imprisoned: people I know.
But the value of my vote has gone up. It’s not just about red vs blue: nor symbolic gestures and optics. It is about integrity. It is about better.
I want to see moral courage and the ability of an elected government to separate from the LNP on foreign policy, genocide in Palestine, refugee rights, energy, forests, arts investment and over development.
The reopening of Nauru with media blackouts was intolerable. Ignoring fast track survivors for another three years was wrong. Mates like Moz, Farhad and Thanuraj deserve a safe, peaceful life. Ramsi has gone to be unemployed and homesick for Australia in freezing Canada. And that makes me very very angry. You let refugees take the flack for economic migration. You pretend housing shortages are simply down to new arrivals.
You chose to play a cowardly hand.
You were asked to make changes. We waited and then demonstrated: all over again. You ignored the message or made vague promises about unaccompanied minors that have not been met.
You chose not to reply.
Campaigning for Independents and Greens might be a stretch for me … I am broke, out of area and uncomfortable even standing up, a bit of a traditionalist … but campaigning with them is my reply.
I am acutely sorry it has come to this.
I have not heard “sorry” from you.
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Very well said. Couldn’t agree more. Reminds us that out of sight is not out of mind for some.
It's not an easy game.
The consequence of annoying too many would be a retune of the previous gang.
I will be putting my faith in the integrity of those I have met from the governed side and expect that policy outcomes that fell short will be brought up to speed on the new term
Totally agree, thanks Jane. His treatment of refugees, whistleblowers and various other groups is unforgivable, most especially Palestinians. Nor do I want a government beholden to a foreign rogue State, not now, not ever, or those financing a genocide. I am sickened that most will still give their votes to these people, from one party or the other. It's time Albo learned that real Progressives do not want to be treated as mushrooms, kept in the dark and fed on shit. I hope this election will at least signal this realisation about the duopoly.
The refugee/illegal immigrant issue is so politically charged that all hell would rain down from the right parties, One Nation, Trumpsters, Libs and Nats, that fear would run rampant through our communities.
The Murdoch Press and the 7 news conglomerate would go bananas.
Look what happened when some 'criminals' were released on the directive from the High Court. They went mad, absolutely bonkers. The government was weak, it undermined public safety.... and on and on it went, finally fizzing out
Ratcheting up fear seems to be a winning option.
Look at the way Palestinians have been marginalised, look at the way our leaders from both sides of politics have bowed down to the Israeli lobby with special definitions on anti semitism, the responses to damage done to synagogues while it appeared at the time a relative reluctance to consider Islamaphobia and the same threats aimed at mosques.
How come one side of the middle east debacle, the Gaza War is squeaky clean while the other are terrorists????
And the same goes when ever sides are taken in a conflict.
Human lives are lost, property is destroyed, people are rendered homeless, and on becoming refugees, stateless.
And it seems it is wrong to actually care, to provide a safe place for those who suffer the most, the innocent victims of conflict.
Concisely and beautifully put - and so very true for many of us ensloughed in disappointment, swatting at despair.
Thank you Jane.