Refugee advocates argue while the Gillard government should be applauded for the first step in releasing children from detention as of next June, they should go further and cement the move in legislation to protect the rights of asylum seeker children permanently. They argue this kind of call should not be left to the minister of the day’s discretion.
Why?
Because this is what the polling looks like on this issue. Here’s Essential Research on the subject yesterday:
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government’s decision to move children and their families out of immigration detention centres and allow them to live in the community while their cases are being processed?
Only 33% approve of the government’s decision to let children and families live in the community, compared to 53% who disapprove. The move drew very high rates of strong disapproval — 23% of Labor voters, 38% of Liberal voters and even 16% of Greens voters, although 63% of Greens voters approved of the decision, compared to only 24% of Liberals and 42% of Labor voters — juxtaposed with the 43% of Labor voters who disapproved.
By gender: men 38% approve/50% disapprove, women 28% approve/57% disapprove.
Clearly the public need to be educated on this one. Because mounting an effective argument for keeping kids locked up is pretty much impossible. But that’s just it, an anonymous respondent to a poll doesn’t have to mount any kind of argument, justification or defence of what is essentially an indefensible position.
Our government does. It’s time it lead definitively on this, and permanently. No ifs or buts.
disgraceful. again i am ashamed to be Australian. once this country had a wonderful record of generosity & openness to those less well off or in difficult circumstances. i mainly blame Howard (and Hanson) and his slimy bunch Immigration Ministers, and all his dog whistling and flat out politicising that has turned so many Australians into ignorant & xenophobic people. and for all thesre years, Labor just let them run their hateful agenda for short term political gain with a free hand (particularly Beasley) without loudly putting the case that could and can be made and to help educate people and liberate them from their ignorance & hatred. i think that it is true to say that at least BOTH Hawke & Keating woudl not only have taken a stand but clearly articulated the case to the Austraqlian people.
It has to be said, much as I don’t like it.
The Gillard Government just dropped this on the local community-and the State Government.
That was either arrogant or blunderingly inept.
I believe this as inflamed the situation re Inverbrackie, which is in my State. That stupidity has given grist for the mill of the intolerant and of course the racists.
Gillard who was in the local area 1/2 days before said not a bloody thing!
Thank-you PM for making the situation very much worse for the refugees.
I would welcome them-yes; even in my street ( that’s the truth),- but I also have to reserve some understanding for those who are waiting for Government housing that never comes.
This kind of handling of a situation is what divides a community and exacerbates an already sensitive situation.
We hemorrhage money on these politicians.
They could not organise a piss-up in a brewery!
Sod it all!! I only said p.i.s.s.-u.p!
Man up auto mod!!
Absolutely Don. I’m not an Australian (yet), but I must say that I also thought that Australians were better than this. Seriously making me consider if I should get citizenship or just remain a permanent resident.
Become a citizen. We aren’t all like tha stats reflect, and in a small form, you’ll be changing them.
My response to the article is: “why the hell wait till June?”