Raquel Moore Journey

Though they begin as scared kids and wish to be invisible, the characters in “Refugee” must become more mature to protect their families by Stepping up when times are hard and difficult to accomplish what they needed to accomplish

“Australia is one of the 146 signatory countries to the United Nations 1951 Convention and or/ 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees”. (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, 2009)

“In addition to being the most successful multicultural society in the world, Australia, as an island continent, has some natural advantages over Europe, which is currently facing the uncontrolled movement of hundreds of thousands of people. Unlike the Europeans we are in control of our borders. For example, people who successfully enter Greece are moving at will throughout much of the EU. We are an island nation. The people smugglers’ business model has been broken. The boats have been stopped.” (Turnbull

An interview with Raquel after she has listened to the confessions of her Burundian hostess reveals her slow transformation as she undergoes psychological decompensation and her resulting discovery of empathy. His use of interviews provides a sense of authenticity along with insight into participants’ thoughts. As a result of these, participants seem honest in their expression of emotion and opinion. Thus, their reactions to situations such as their visit to the Villawood Detention Centre resonate with audiences through their emotive power. Gleny Rae says, “I think we have the capacity to take more refugees”, while Raye Colby says “Serves you bastards right”, in reference to the boat wrecked upon Christmas Island. The variety of opinions also indicates the varied progression of discovery among the individuals. Effective use of crosscutting elucidates participants’ contrasting reactions and aids in stitching together a wide and varied perspective, all the while enabling discoveries both physical and emotional. The use of crosscutting between Kakuma and Jordan highlights the unique nature of each and every refugee experience. O’Mahoney utilises dramatic music to heighten emotions and create a sense of excitement and intrigue to impinge the importance of the topic on

Devastated by war and violence, a mother listens to the desperate cries of her young one’s yearning for the feel of solid land underneath their feet. Imagine living in a world where you are forced to leave your country and seek refuge in another, all because of a war that you did not start, yet are forced to endure the consequences of. A world where mothers, daughters, fathers and sons have no choice other than to travel across a dangerous ocean where they are at risk of being raped by pirates or drowning in endless sea of blue, never to be seen again. This world is soon to arrive on Australia’s door step. This beautiful country that we call home prides itself on being a safe haven for asylum seekers.

In my opinion I strongly believe Refugees should always be welcome in Australia, everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live and grow up in. Many in our society disagree on Refugees and asylum seekers coming into Australia, but others would say everyone deserves something. Imagine being in a refugee or asylum seekers “shoes”, imagine being sexually abused or living in a poor, unhealthy environment, you’d want to come to Australia to wouldn't you? “Everyone deserves something that makes them look forward to tomorrow”

For many years refugees have been demonized by the country through the spread of fear and misconception. Furthermore, the disgusting treatment of refugees in the detention camps by the Australian Government has been roundly criticised by the international community.

Despite being granted a visa to enter Australia as a refugee visa (visa subclass 200) refugees must then satisfy other numerous criteria even more challenging. An example of this is apart from meeting national security requirements and health screening the minister of Australian immigration considers applicants must have a "compelling reason for giving special consideration to granting the visa”. Their connection with Australia, the capacity of the Australian community and the degree of severity of persecution they are faced with

The first boat with refugees to Australia in 1976, there are five men come to Australia in Darwin by boat (Phillips &Spinks 2013). Australia as a human immigrant country and it has policy receive refugees and asylum seekers. Since more and more refugees entered Australia from all over the world such as Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, that the Australia is a multicultural country (UNHCR 2011). There is a small group of people are opposed to refugees, they have prejudice and bias against the refugees (Henderson & Uhlmann 2015). The refugee may face to poor living conditions, they have to leave their home and move to another place which can receive them. Australia is a good choice for refugees due to it can change their life. The small

Good morning delegates of the youth parliament and observing members. Today I stand before you to discuss an issue that continues to evoke high emotions and create deep divisions within Australian society. I refer to the matter of refugees and Australia's immigration policy. Not since the second world war has the world faced such an upheaval with so many people displaced. In 2015 there were 65.3 million people forcibly displaced from their homes because of conflict and persecution. Developing countries hold 84% of refugees while wealthier countries like Australia prioritise the need to reduce asylum seekers within their borders. The current policy contravenes the proper treatment of refugees and asylum seekers; because regardless of their mode of entry, once here Australia has a duty to provide protection.

Citizens often thought those people would bring terrorists, unemployment and infrastructure stress. However, refugees will be able to make out importance in affecting the potential social, cultural and economic contributionsupon their area of resettlement. Australia has a long history of accepting refugees for resettlement and over 700 000 refugees. As a consequence, Australia’s offshore humanitarian programme is heralded as one of the best in the world. Accepting more refugees and boat people into the country is one of the greatest contributions that can make to improving the world around us and enhancing our own living standards. In addition, by having more people in country there are more people to cooperate with, more people to trade with and more people to grow the market. They help supply the economy through participating in the labour market and bring with them diversity, new work approaches and funds. As our wealth and economy grows there is more money for the finer things in life.

The resettlement of refugees in Australia is a controversial topic; many people believe that they come here to commit crime, change our culture and steal our jobs. ‘The Happiest Refugee’ has enhanced my belief that refugees should be allowed to live in Australia. I believe that refugees are here to escape war and persecution; they are not criminals, nor do they want to change our culture or steal our jobs. Refugees are generally grateful for their new lives in Australia and they embrace our culture. ‘The Happiest Refugee’ is a source of evidence that supports this.

Another technique used in the documentary to challenge the viewers’ assumptions was the use of narration to present facts about the refugee situation. These facts and figures give the viewers a truthful and realistic picture of the situation. Some beliefs that exist in Australian society are that we are taking in too many refugees; they are criminals, they are taking over Australia, using Australian tax payers’ money and changing our culture. However, we are presented with facts and figures that change our assumptions. For example, more than 30 million people have fled their homes with nothing but the clothes they wear, boat smugglers charge up to and over $10, 000 US dollars, 13, 000 refugees are accepted annually only 2,000 of those refugees arrive by boat. Despite what many people think, like Raye who believed refugees in Australia are “handed everything on a gold platter,” life in detention centres is hard. In Villawood Detention Centre, over 9 months, three detainees committed suicide and 18 caused self-harm.

Australia is a diverse and multicultural that allows anyone who needs safety and shelter to come to Australia and feel safe and free. Australia wasn’t always like this there was a time where immigrants could not come into the “Safe Haven”. To get away from poverty, war and diseases.