IN the recent words of the Western Australian Liberal, Dr Mal Washer, it is time to “grow up”.
Slogans will not cut it.
Putting people with no charge in offshore prisons under temporary protection without the chance of family reunion is no answer.
Neither is punishing several hundreds by returning them to the transit country and placing them at the end of a “queue”.
And treating the mental and physical health and well-being of those we detain as expendable is immoral.
Where are the mature leaders willing and able to put before us the world situation regarding people movement and ready to situate Australia’s response in the context of what other nations are doing?
Why, in a race to the bottom, are so many politicians eager to beat the drum of fear, hostility and aggression in the quest for votes?
We need real co-operation across party lines to find a regional response such as dealt with the outflow of refugees following an earlier conflict in which we were also involved – the Vietnam War.
Let’s support the efforts of those backbenchers and independents who are presently meeting to achieve a bi-partisan response.
Let’s encourage an “effective” regional solution that respects the rights of those seeking asylum not just our desire to “protect our borders”.
As long as persecution and war exist in our world, those needing protection will be with us.
GENEVIEVE CAFFERY
Greenslopes, Qld
