Crackdown on asylum seekers? Because our government is good at bad jokes.
The Turnbull Government’s last week announced to launch a crackdown against asylum seekers in Australia is set to start a fierce debate not only inside Australia but around the world.
Local and international media are already on it, calling this move a “shocking cruelty”, a “rort”, and some even referred to it as “throwing refugees to lions’ den”. I strongly agree because I have dealt with migrants in different situations for years and known their helplessness and agonies very closely.
The crackdown begins with the launch of this new visa, called the “final departure Bridging E Visa“, under which not only income support of about $200 a fortnight will cease (starting this week), but they will also be given a three-week deadline to move out of government-supported accommodation.
This new visa is being issued to dozens of asylum seekers transferred to Australia from offshore detention for medical reasons; and bear in mind that this may include a pregnant woman.
So once the support is gone, followed by the accommodation; these stranded refugees will be expected to support themselves and their families, if any, in the community until departing Australia.
The Immigration Department’s letter reads: “From Monday 28 August you will need to find money each week for your own accommodation costs. From this date, you will also be responsible for all your other living costs like food, clothing and transport. You are expected to sign the Code of Behaviour when you are released into the Australian community. The Code of Behaviour outlines how you are to behave in the community.”
Even an average income earner in Australia knows how hard it is to get an accommodation and a job. Who is going to give these abandoned people a rental for three weeks and a job, let alone clothes and transport?
If this step is some kind of joke, I must say it is a very bad one; and if it is happening for real, it is time for members concerned in the Australian government to seriously sit as sane adults would do and review the country’s policies on asylum seekers.
The current government has been reiterating its vested interest to improve the refugee regime, but very few believe that by taking such steps, they are helping themselves or the country’s international image.
Even the UN Global Compact on Refugees report that was released today recommends that Australia needs an internal review of the country’s asylum and refugee policy against the commitments in the Global Compact, in order to lend credibility to its contribution.
Australia is known for its multiculturalism; its people identify with more than 270 ancestries; almost seven million people have migrated to Australia since 1945; and its rich diversity of cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious backgrounds are unmatchable.
Australian society is one of the most accepting, welcoming and tolerant societies in the world – values that every Australian teaches their kids. So please Mr. Dutton and Mr. Turnbull, don’t ruin this for us, our children and all of the future Australians.
