YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME
Recently, Robert Magid, the owner and publisher of the Australian Jewish News, a publication for which I have been a columnist for nearly a decade, wrote a piece on illegal boat people.
You can read about it here, but in summary, he called for less compassion towards illegal immigrants as they are ‘queue jumpers’, ‘none (are) facing certain death’, and some may be dangerous Muslim extremists.
Now, Mr Magid is entitled to his opinion, as regretful as I consider it to be. However, when defending his postion, he claimed that he spoke on behalf of ‘most people’ – and by that, I believe he meant ‘most Jews’. And it is this claim to which I strongly object.
Obviously not all of us Jews are like minded.
As in any community there are a variety of opinions and a variety of political views. But Jews, in general, tend to be compassionate and philanthropic. We give a great deal to our own community via various charities, and we give a great deal to the wider community as well.
Just last week, for example, I visited The Big Kitchen – a facility funded by the Jewish community which mentors incarcerated men on work-leave, and provides food for Sydney’s needy, both Jews and non-Jews alike. It made me proud.
Being charitable is part and parcel of the Jewish religion.
I’m no religious scholar, but I am well acquainted with the concept of ‘Mitzvot’ (good deeds) which are fundamental to Jewish thought. Some of these Mitzvot include loving your neighbor as yourself, being kind to strangers, and seeking and pursuing peace. Worthy goals, indeed.
However, being compassionate is also part of our heritage. Since the murder of six million European Jews in the Holocaust, Jews have been keenly aware of the plight of the oppressed and persecuted, and many – if not most – of us feel an obligation to help them.
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71 Responses to this article
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Danny Dix August 9, 2012
Ok maybe it is time to open our northern borders and allow anyone who would like free housing, unemployment benefits and education to come on down. Pretty soon the boats won’t need to actually work. New Australians could just jump from boat to boat to arrive.
That won’t leave enough in the kitty for our own pensioners who paid taxes into the system all their working life to help the govt support them in later life…but there’s always the euthanasia option for them, right?
At least introduce a challenge to country shopping into Australia. Xmas island is far too easy a destination. Put the australian country shopper entry point at McMurdo sound station, Antarctica.-
Yvette Vignando August 9, 2012
Danny Dix, your comment is, in my opinion, ill-informed and lacking understanding and compassion for the backgrounds of people that seek to enter
Australia on a boat. You may have an opinion that you would prefer people not to seek asylum in Australia at all, or perhaps just not seek it via a boat entry. You may even have an opinion that pensioners in Australia are worse off than those asylum seekers, or that we should “look after our own” before others, no matter what suffering they endure. But if you think asylum seekers who arrive by boat are “country-shopping” I urge you to inform yourself about the backgrounds of the vast majority of those people. Kerri, thank you for writing this. -
Caitlin August 9, 2012
@Danny Dix Almost everything about your comment is fantasy, not reality. You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.
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Nareen Young August 9, 2012
What Wendy said! The truth of any community is that we’re wholes made up of different parts. I would imagine that the Jewish community is made up of people with differing opinions. My own experience with the Jewish community has been one of decency, compassion and generosity in the face of the most horrendous hatred that we can all learn from, as exemplified by Kerri’s thoughts. Go Kerri!
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JayRo August 9, 2012
I would like to second Wendy’s bravo. Well done in saying what many are thinking. As a fellow Jew, I can also say that Mr Magid does not speak for me.
When it comes to refugees and the Australians who think they are “country shopping”, I would suggest you take the time to listen to the stories of some of the people who have come here out of sheer desperation before you start running your mouths off. -
Danny Dix August 9, 2012
5…4…3…
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Mrs Woog August 9, 2012
I adore you Kerri Sackville xx
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Jackie August 9, 2012
I agree with Kerri, and as a non practicing Jew whose ancestors were pretty much lost in the Pogrom, we should have compassion for those desperate enough to risk their lives. Shouldnt we be more worried about those entering legally, sending money back home, bringing over relatives who lean on our social service and monopolosing our finance and business sector? (and I am talking all nationalities here)…Live and let Live!
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Nicky Lavigne August 9, 2012
Bravo Kerri…you can speak for me
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Linda Jaivin August 9, 2012
Thank you Kerri – I too was appalled by the attitude expressed in the article and agree with you entirely. What I got out of my Jewish upbringing and education in the atrocities of the Holocaust was to be compassionate and generous to those in need and never turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. Over the last decade or so, I have had extensive experience with asylum seekers and refugees, including Palestinian and other Muslim refugees, and deep knowledge of individual cases. This gives me the confidence not only to assert that many are indeed fleeing mortal danger, torture and persecution, but also to say that building bridges between peoples is a far more constructive act of anti-terrorism than burning them. I’ve signed the letter of protest by Jews and non-Jews against Mr Magid’s statements; when I did so I was number 381 to do so.
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Robert August 9, 2012
Compassion should not be based on ethnicity or religion, but on humanity. If not, then we have learned nothing from the past and should fear the future.
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bigwords August 9, 2012
Brilliant and compassionate xx
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Sally August 9, 2012
Magid – you do not speak for me either. Shame on you.
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Leesa August 9, 2012
absolutely agree with Kerri. And to Danny; I wonder if you have the space to take some moments and wonder how you should like to be treated if you were the one fleeing?
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Rees August 9, 2012
Take a breath… when are we Australians going to begin to see the other as other – sacred and human, all deserving of life, not just a select few who may have been fortunate to have been born upon this land.
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Kerrie Lee August 9, 2012
While applauding Kerri’s article, I would like to highlight the fact that the terms “illegal boat people” and “illegal immigrants” are both inaccurate and pejorative. This has been pointed out by the Australian Press Council numerous times, as far back as 2004. Whether travelling by boat or plane, it is NOT illegal to arrive in Australia without papers, seeking asylum. As for the paranoia surrounding possible Muslim “terrorists”… As a former regular visitor to Villawood Detention Centre, I can attest to the fact that not all asylum seekers are Muslim – far from it. With other advocates, I helped to secure the release of a family of five, who had been held in detention for three-and-a-half years. Followers of an ancient religion, they had been persecuted for their minority beliefs, which goes to show that no one religious group – Muslim, Jewish, Christian or other – has a monopoly on persecution. The three children of this family are now at university, while their parents are enthusiastic, fully participating New Australians. Finally, through my time at Villawood I met a number of passionate Jewish advocates, many of whom were working tirelessly for Muslim detainees. I am now proud to call several of these people my friends – along with the Muslim men, women and children whom they helped and continue to support.
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Jen P August 9, 2012
It’s not the compassion for genuine asylum seekers that I think many Australians have a problem with; its the extraordinary inflated cost per person of temporary care including legal aid, food, shelter, healthcare, transportation, and then in many cases the automatic green light for establishment of them here as permanent citizens with rights to housing, unemployment benefits, free heath care, interpreters and all those benefits which they keep for life; instead of offering temporary asylum on the proviso they return to their own country when and if the real threat is over. If that is not possible they should be compelled to support themselves just like any other applicant to migrate here would have to commit to before entering the country. My parents, aunt, uncle, and grandparents are still so grateful to be given a new start here during World War II even though it meant living in temporary migrant camps with sparse amenities and with the requirement to work on the Snowy Mountain scheme, reached weekly by bicycle, and to work hard to raise their own funds to eventually buy (or rent) their own homes and pay for their own needs. My parents are now thoroughly disgusted at the Government’s massive spending on asylum seekers, as after working all their adult lives paying taxes in Australia, volunteering in their communities and totally adapting to the Australian way of life, they are absolutely struggling on the measly pension and we sometimes find that they are denying themselves proper health care and meals just to get by.
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amd August 9, 2012
All very valid points.
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Sara August 9, 2012
Well said Jen P. My fathers story is not dissimilar to that of your parents, aunt, uncle and grandparents – and his feelings are (as are mine) the same as that of your parents towards the Governments misguided spending on this issue. The fact that he is Jewish is irrelevant to this issue – yet your point about the cost per person of temporary care is exactly the relevant point that many seem to be overlooking. Bravo Jen P…you can speak for me!
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Nadine August 9, 2012
Well said, Kerri. Mr Magid certainly does not speak for me! Stop them all in case one of them MAY be a Muslim terrorist?! It’s time we listen to stories and display some compassion. Maybe we should add “Empathy” to the school curriculum!
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Alice Shaw August 9, 2012
Treat others as you would have them treat you. It seems simple and yet so much hate prevails. Fear of the other seems to overshadow basic human compassion and people suffer because of it.
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Susan August 9, 2012
Having just travelled in the USA for five weeks and hearing on the news at my son’s house “the number of illegal immigrants to the USA has gone down to 517,000 this year,the lowest number in twenty five years!” We replayed it a number of times whilst I was choking on my dinner. And I stress ILLEGAL not assylum seeking……. The number of hard working ,dedicated tax paying people that I met or heard of that had lost their homes because of “pre-existing conditions” and healthcare cost blowouts….. These were middle class people who had paid their houses off and are now homeless,couch surfing or paying exhorbitant rent and declaring bankruptcy…… They just laugh when they hear about our country’s attitude to assylum seekers. When you put your hand out you should get a hand up. As a nation we need to take a good hard look at ourselves and count our blessings every day. Huff and puff!
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amd August 9, 2012
I don’t think we can use any comparison to the USA to give an accurate picture. The USA has over 310 million inhabitants and pretty much every part of their country is habitable, whereas we have around 25,600 million people and approximately 40% of Australia is considered uninhabitable.
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Susan August 9, 2012
My point is-the fact that we choose to look after all of our citizens as though they are people and not fiscal amounts makes me proud to live in a civilised economy. The fact that people are asking for assylum in our country means that they can no longer live in theirs. If we ,as a country, can have a civilised approach to this problem we should be satisfied and not whingeing. Giving people (a very,very small number of people in fact) a chance to live in a civilised community is something as a nation we should want to achieve.
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Mez August 9, 2012
In the US you are on your own. You sink or swim. The tax payer isn’t paying for your healthcare and dole payments.
Australia has 8 million tax payers and that’s decreasing daily. When the inevitable bust comes to the mining boom and we have to repay Wayne’s 300 billion dollar spending spree we are going to struggle to keep hospitals open. How many more mouths do you think we should feed before we look after our most vulnerable?
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Caitlin August 9, 2012
It is so incredibly egotistical of Mr Magid to speak on behalf of other people and claim to know what other people’s opinions are without the explicit permission of those people. It is wrong for any of us to do this.
Every time I start to feel a sense of despair and hopelessness for the world my 8 month old daughter is going to grow up in, I seem to stumble across people like Kerri and others who have posted here showing compassion and intelligence in regards to this issue.
So thank you to those people for your kind words because I believe it takes a lot more strength and courage to be compassionate than it does to be callous and hateful. -
Adele August 9, 2012
Kerri, I am not Jewish but my great-grandparents were, and they were killed in the Holocaust. My grandmother grew up on the run and as a child I was haunted by the stories she’d tell us. She managed to flee to Britain, but I would like to think that people in the same sort of situation would be able to seek shelter in Australia without being accused of simply moving here for “taxpayer’s money”.
To those Australians who like to whinge about their tax dollars being used to help asylum seekers: Refugees aren’t thinking about your measley money when they’re hopping on a leaky boat someone built in their backyard. They’re probably just thinking about survival.
I just wanted to thank you for this article Kerri and say, you can speak for me.
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JFK August 9, 2012
Kerrie – if we all had your heart and your ability to eloquently express what it holds how much better the world would be. You can speak for me (and in fact you often do !!) xx
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Judith Rubbish August 9, 2012
I was almost tempted to ask Alan Brough to give Danny D a consolation prize for his/her Bob Katter quiz entries a few weeks ago, thought they were cute. Not today I’m afraid, I respect that we all have different opinions and concerns but really, when did empathy vanish and dollars become the measure for everything in our world? I have been discussing with my 12 year old how lucky we are to live in a place where the biggest concern is whether we win gold or silver in a race, not whether or not we are safe on a daily basis. He gets it.
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MichelleMP August 9, 2012
Beautifully written Kerri! Magid, although entitled to his own opinion, most certainly does not speak for me either. Look at big our country is – look how many more arid areas we could develop and grow. If our government was clever they would work at developing regions to help us flourish instead of turning people away. Its the same as illegal immigrants that fly into our country on “holiday” and stay on working illegally. These people are hard working people wanting to work and support their own families. They are happy to clean homes, labour, care for elderly etc..Our government could give them special working visas like other countries do allowing them to work, while the government benefits by taxing them. Regardless of race, religion or colour, every human deserves the right to freedom.
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Margot August 9, 2012
Thank you Kerrie. That was so heartening to read when so much of the public and political conversation about asylum seekers is so negative. I am tired of the lack of compassion and generosity shown to people who “dare” to attempt to reach our shores to start a better life. Instead we whinge about “queue jumpers” using our taxpayer dollars instead of thinking about the enormous contribution past refugees have made to creating this country. We now reward courage and determination with finding ways to “turn back the boats”, and for those who do manage to get here, keep them locked behind bars, often for years. So Kerrie, thank you for your article. We need more voices like yours in the public domain.
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RobynMarie August 9, 2012
Am I wrong in believing that Jews were the first refugees to come here? I’m sure I read that somewhere whilst doing an essay on how mandatory detention is wrong and goes against Australian values. I realise that something has to be done about the refugee problem but are we loosing sight of the fact that we are talking about human beings? People just like us? I believe Jesus said treat others how you yourself would like to be treated and if it’s good enough for him it’s good enough for me.
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Kylie L August 9, 2012
I’m not Jewish but you make me want to be. Bravo, Kerri! Let’s show Magid how wrong he is.
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Benison O'Reilly August 9, 2012
Can’t think of anything to say except thank you for standing up for compassion.
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Glen August 9, 2012
Kerri Lee, any vessel that arrives on our shores without the required permission and clearance is correctly classed as an ‘illegal arrival’. This should not be confused with asylum seekers themselves, as you appear to have done. The way in which many asylum seekers arrive in Australia is commonly via illegal methods. The act of seeking asylum is however, not illegal.
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amd August 9, 2012
One of the main problems seems to be, though, clarifying which are genuine asylum seekers and which are illegal immigrants. Obviously, we cannot simply take someone’s word for it. It is a huge task, and a complex issue, both sides try to simplify it and minimise the other side’s issues. Both sides have some valid points. I am tired of the constant lies and obfuscations. I would appreciate some real statistics, reports and studies, and no more emotive bulldust, from either side.
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Mez August 9, 2012
You miss an important and obvious point – between 800 and 1000 people have died trying reach our shores by boat since Nauru was abandoned. The ONLY reason that was done was because Rudd wanted his seat at the UN, not because the useless ALP are humanitarians!
The cost in both lives and dollars is beyond reason. So, what do we do? Send ships to gather all who want to come? All 40 million of the worlds refugees?
Do we disregard the comments of Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC who is privy to information that we’re not? When he says he’s willing to die to protect our country from terrorism, to ensure that his children and ours can get on a bus without being blown to kingdom come, do we ignore that?
YES we are lucky. But it has been hard fought for by past generations and should never be taken for granted.
Kerri, while you are third generation, Mr Magid and many others arent. I’ve seen his fear echoed in elderly Lebanese Christians and Coptic Christians.
This fear is not racism coming from Anglo Australans, it’s a real fear coming from those who know what real fear is.
I hope none of us are ever given reason to wish we had heeded Mr Magid’s words.
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Matt August 10, 2012
Don’t mention that by opening our borders (as we are now) it is actually killing people. Don’t mention that we are spending billions on this completely preventable situation whilst struggling to pay for our own ageing population. Please don’t use any logic at all.
Just talk about love, hugs, feelings etc. As for the dirty little details, well that’s someone else’s problem. -
JoanneH August 10, 2012
Mez, Nauru worked for the Coalition when they could hide refugees away, sometimes for many years, (a number going quietly mad), with very few visits from the media or refugee advocates permitted. Despite that the majority came to Australia anyway. If it is started up again, the policy will probably be challenged in the High Court because of the unsuitability of the Island’s facilities.
Unless your name is Djagamurra or Gulpilil or some such, you are the descendant of immigrants. To suggest otherwise is incorrect. And as such, we are obligated to give as many other people as is practical the same opportunities that we and our forebears enjoyed.
None of our forebears decided to leave where they were living and move to Australia because they thought they would have a worse life; they came here for a better life, as do asylum seekers. Take the Vietnamese as an example; despite all the fear/hate campaigns, the majority live good productive lives, enriching the economy with restaurants and small businesses etc.
To suggest asylum seekers on boats are terrorists is so absurd that it doesn’t warrant any serious discussion. Except to say that those politicians and commentators who have run this line are a disgrace and those of the public who believe them are beyond help.
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Matt August 10, 2012
@JoanneH: Name the politicians who said asylum seekers on boats are terrorists.
Your reference to Nauru that the majority of refugees came to Australia anyway is irrelevant. It is Nauru’s deterrent value that is important. It stopped the boats from coming.
The Parliament makes the laws by the way. If the ruling government wants Nauru then they have the power to make it happen.
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sam August 10, 2012
Kerry,
Are you using this as an excuse to play identity politics maybe?
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sam August 10, 2012
By the fouth generation, thay are culturally jewish and have no need to be part of the community???
Its hilarious how the jewish diapora are a divided bunch of people.
Ultra orthodox jews dont mix at all with their secular people
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Jamie Gonzales August 10, 2012
When the mining boom ends and we have high unemployement, when our welfare system is at breaking point, when we don’t have enough hospital beds, when rents are so high we have a new class of homeless, when our schools are over crowded, when people are forced to move to central Australia, when you are no longer able to get a pension from the government after 50+ years of being a tax payer I bet you ALL change your minds about how many people you want arriving on our shores asking to be let in. You might all have compassion now, but get back to me in another 10, 15,20 years,
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JoanneH August 10, 2012
Matt, four days before the 2001 election John Howard directly raised the prospect there were terrorists concealed among the boatpeople arriving in Australia from Indonesia.
It was a connection that was already at large in the minds of many Australians during an election that was fought in the shadow of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
But it was the first time the then prime minister had actually made it and he chose an interview in the closing stages of the campaign with The Courier Mail’s Dennis Atkins to do it. After that election, and up until this time, obvious scaremongering statements have been unnecessary, as the Coalition and their own media have perfected the coded ‘dog whistle’ fear campaigns – “illegal” immigrants, the “war on terror”, Islamist “extremists” etc., although in 2009 that hilarious buffoon, Wilson Tuckey said the likelihood of having terrorists on incoming boats was about “two or three to one”. -
pat August 10, 2012
It will be interesting to see what mp’s like Josh Frydenberg will do with issues like these in the future
Hes the first Jewish mp of gen y to enter parliament
Unlike Petros Georgiou who was widely respected outside of the electorate and a smal l liberal
They dont exist in the coalition sadly
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ting August 10, 2012
I think Jewish people are embarrased by Mr Magid as it reinforces a certain stereotype
There are members of immigrant communities that are right wing ,selfish with no empathy
Thats a fact of life!!
Can i kindly remind people to go and watch The Slap by Tsiolkas
Thats the ugly and nasty side of the middle class that Australians dont see often!!
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ting August 10, 2012
The most selfish people i witnessed at Uni was the demographic that Kerry spoke of at Moriah
Thats my experience and many became self hating Jews
Food for thought
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James Kell August 10, 2012
Compassion is vital. Impractical thinking is lazy. If we opened our borders like many believe we should, our infrastructure would not cope. We would go from 22m to 50m in a very short space of time. So alas we must say no a certain number of people who wish to enter our country. Alas, we must discriminate. This is not a racist or xenophobic comment. Our government has the very difficult task of coming up with the fairest way to discriminate. I offer no solution but this: we require compassion at all levels. The asylum seekers. Existing Australians who are concerned about keeping this country great. Older Australians. Even politicians. They must make difficult resource-allocation decisions in the most practical compassionate way possible. And answer to us.
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george August 10, 2012
If Mr Magid is indicative of the wealthy attitude in this country
were f_____ed!!!
Thanks for denigrating our reputation worlwide again along with the political class
ugh
yuck
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mandi August 10, 2012
The real question to be asked is
How did Kerry not know of Mr Magids opinions when you wrote for him for so many years?
The sectional interests of this wealthy jew is obvious and of those who are part of his team!!
He’s the Jewish version of Gina!!
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Jose Sanchez CP August 11, 2012
Mr. Magid does not speak for me. It saddens me that such xenophobic ideas can be part of Australian society that prides itself on a fair go.
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annette August 11, 2012
I am stunned to hear such anti-asylum seeker sentiments from Jewish people of all people with their ancient &recent history of needing asylum. I am hopeful it is a minority opinion.
Let us urge more understanding for the plight of these asylum seekers in our wider community & a plea for compassion as well! -
Jernny August 11, 2012
What makes us human as distinct from predatory animals? The use of reason and the ability to feel for others. Our basic human needs for love, work, safety, education and development, food,shelter and clothing are the same. People who are deprived of these through fear and oppression in their home country are entitled to seek asylum elsewhere. They deserve a fair go and as an Australian I am happy to share the good things available here. The need is for newcomers to obey Australian law and contribute to the society by work. The most immoral thing that any Australian government (both sides of politics) has ever done is to prohibit many asylum seekers from working. If they were allowed to work there would be no cost to the community by keeping them in detention indefinitely or otherwise dependent on charity.
I know many genuine refugees of varying rellgions who have fled from fear and oppression. Many of their stories are horrific and one can only feel compassion for them. Let us welcome them with an open heart and help them settle to a safe, productive and dignified life in Australia.
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Rob Brian August 11, 2012
Mr Magid does not speak for me and Kerri certainly does, even though I am not Jewish. The Holocaust was an unspeakable evil, which should never occur again. However, Australia is extremely lucky to have received so many Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust, because they have made a tremendous contribution to this country, as have the Vietnamese boat people and many other people from other countries where they were in danger of losing their lives. It takes ‘guts’ for anyone to migrate to another country. The current boat people who are sacrificing everything they have to come here are also likely to become very proud and loyal Australians and make a great contribution to this country.
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Terie August 11, 2012
Compassion and peace in a faith situation. That’s what we need in our contemporary Auatralian society.
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Pat August 11, 2012
“The present stands on the shoulders of the past as it looks to the future”…………surely we can learn from the evil of the holocaust and the many evils of all wars that our forbears cry out to each of us never to let this happen again.
Take the unity expressed in the Olympic Games when nations come together as one…. we are proud of the past, the present and what the future holds. The only people in our country who are not “boat” people are the Aborigines. In the past they had no say about who was accepted in their homeland, and yet with all of that history, so many of them are the first to offer a welcome to people seeking some hope.
We shoiuld all read HOPE by Ann-Mari Jordens. A book about the reality of 12 refugees who share harrowing memories of fleeing war, violence and persecution. -
Carole McDonald August 11, 2012
I cannot believe your ignorance about today’s refugees. You certainly don’t speak for me. I welcome refugees to this country. These people have the right to expect us to offer them compassion, justice and a home.
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Mez August 11, 2012
My previous comment was deleted. I’m surprised. I thought it common knowledge that the Greens protest outside Jewish businesses, attempt to ban Israeli produce being sold in Australian shops and are pro Palastine/anti Israel. Its a natural conclusion that they would take a different stand if it were Jews being escorted here.
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diane August 11, 2012
Jewish schools are very expensive and right wing
If the Jews want to really contribute then offer scholarships for the disadvantaged to have a place at these schools
Education is a right not a privilege and Moriah is a privileged school Kerry
#just saying
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Waynw August 11, 2012
Kerri,
I applaud your stance and hope more like minded people join with you in condemning the xenophobia and lack of tolerance by Mr Magid. Without compassion and understanding for those who have suffered greatly because of their, race, religion or beliefs we are doomed as a society.
Wayne -
Gai August 11, 2012
Respect, understanding, and compassion for asylum seekers, PLEASE. We’ve had far too much distrust, vilification and political grandstanding! Every human life is valuable, and remember “We’ve boundless plains to share.” Be welcoming and generous, or change the national anthem.
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Matt August 13, 2012
That’s terrific Gai. Do you run your own home the same way? Do you leave the front door unlocked or wide open and just allow complete strangers to wander in and help themselves? Do you write your PIN number down on your credit card and just hand it around to people in need?
No? Really……
Where’s the respect, understanding and compassion??
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pam August 12, 2012
A nation of immigrants turning on immigrants
What ridiculous hypocricy!!
Peace and love Australian people
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Mark David Walsh August 13, 2012
Dear Kerri and all those who have exhibited both compassion and empathy in your comments, thank you for showing how this global problem should be addressed. Thank you for recognising that we are talking about human beings here, who must be treated with dignity. To all who simply seek to sling vitriolic comments founded on fear and fiction, I urge you to open your hearts to the millions of women, men and children around the world who are legitimately seeking asylum in so many lands (including our own). To all who seek to use this as a political football, I urge you to look into your conscience and ask you to reconsider your actions. To all Australians I urge you to consider the bigger picture and not be taken up in the hype and hysteria surrounding “arrivals by boat”. It is only together that people of faith and no faith and the 25 million immigrants already in Australia – many of whom were refugees themselves – can find a solution that honours the dignity of all involved.
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helenbea August 13, 2012
Australia folk singer/songwriter and activist, Judy Small, sings it all…’You don’t speak for me’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEzt1B2Oo9A -
Matt August 13, 2012
The Houston report has called for off shore processing at Nauru and also Papua New Guinea.
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Michael KnightsTreat August 31, 2012
Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself. That says it all
