While I grew up, I use to think that we (Australians) were the good guys. That we were the country of a 'fair go', and had the hearts of compassion, good will and kindness to help out a person in need. I use to think that we would do the 'right thing' in any situation, simply because it was the 'right thing to do'. But after yesterday, I am in serious doubt that we hold any sense of fairness, or of what is right. I'm beginning to think that the 'leaders' of our country will do anything for personal gain, and play on the minds of the credulous, fearful and misguided in society by riding on the politics of fear, division and ignorance.
Last night I was having a meal with a mate...we talked sport, swapped stories, had a few laughs, spoke of our families, shared our dreams for the future and discussed the age old conundrum - women and relationships. I could have been with any of my mates any where in this country.
But for some reason, this mate is different.
His name is Ali. One night, 17 years ago, he returned home to find his brother had been killed and his father beaten unconscious by the Taliban. Their crimes? Being Shi'a Hazaras. Knowing they would be back for him later that night, he had no choice, but to grab what little belongings he had and flee immediately across the border to Pakistan. Ali spent the next fourteen years living in a country that didn't recognise his situation. He was unable to work or get basic health services and his children were unable to go to school. They lived in constant fear. Friends would be killed and would disappear. Life was so grim that his wife instructed him that for the sake of theirs and their children's lives he needed to find safety. Terrified, Ali risked his life and made his way to Australia to seek refuge. It took him 3 months to get here, and he would spend 18 months locked up in 'prisons' around the country, shipped around like cattle, treated like a criminal.
Earlier this year, Ali got the chance to start living in community awaiting the final outcomes of his visa. He spent everyday for over 4 months volunteering at a Salvation Army family store. He was one of the best workers and when he was granted his protection visa only last month, the staff had no hesitation to put him on as an employee. Ali loves working there. He says it's his chance to say thank you to Australia and to help some of the 'needy' of the Australian community out. Ali is 'different' because he arrived here by boat, but he is no different to any of my mates.
I am in a privileged position where I hear stories like this everyday. Courageous, resilient, passionate and generous people wanting to contribute and to build a hard working, diverse Australia that their families can be proud of.
I am proud to call Ali a friend.
Yesterdays 'solutions' to a global 'problem' were disturbing - turn boats around to Indonesia which has caused hundreds of drowning previously; send people to a country where their human rights aren't recognised; or transform one of the few schools on a tiny Island who needs education into a prison to house people fleeing for their lives.
Why is it seen as weak or unpopular to formulate a welcoming and compassionate process for people like Ali to get to Australia? What does it say about our country when we can't put in place basic human rights for the worlds most vulnerable? Why can't we increase our refugee intake or process asylum seekers before they get here? We've done it before and it's worked! It's cheaper, it's more humane and we give people like Ali the chance to contribute to our amazing and vast country.
Multiculturalism isn't a label or tag of this country. It's who we are. Why do we make it something to fear?
My Dad's ancestors were boat people, my Mum's parents fled as refugees across Europe to find safety until they finally made it here. How are we so different?
As the political furore continues today, please remember what the 'right thing to do' is. Please remember that we can be the good guys. We can take the leadership and responsibility to develop a regional response to continue to develop a country that believes in a 'fair go' and that we can welcome people to Australia.
Luke.
