Report on Refugee Rights in Australia

The 2011 SBS program, Go Back to Where You Came From (O’Mahoney, I, 2011) portrays the journey of 6 Australian citizens as they try to balance their beliefs against that of the ‘Boat People’ that they meet. In the show we are introduced to 6 individuals, Raye Colbey, Adam Hartup, Darren Hassan, Raquel Moore, Glenny Ray and Roderick Schneider. The aforementioned individuals are then sent footsteps of Asylum Seekers. This broadcast raises many issues with today’s society that needs to be addressed. The issue of Racism, Asylum Seekers, the lack of respect for others religion and beliefs are all raised to the forefront of today’s society and need to be addressed.

This report examines that the impacts of immigration detention and violating of human rights with the mental health care of asylum seekers. In the recent years, increased number of illegal immigrants arriving by boat in Australia. This raises key issues concerning about mental health of asylum-seekers, especially for detained immigrants. Research shows that Australia currently own around 13,000 refugees per annum, under the Refugee Convention (1951), Australia has obligation to evaluate refugee claims, but it processes only 2.2% of them made to 44 industrialised countries (p.315).

According to Hugo, Australia’s history with refugees can be characterised as a love-hate relationship, both in terms of government policy and public support and attitudes (Hugo 2001: 35). On the one hand Australia has resettled more than 700.000 refugees and displaced persons under its offshore program, who have been given a great deal of government and community support. On the other hand the country is carrying out harsh and highly criticised policies towards asylum seekers and refugees arriving by boat, which research shows that a majority of the Australian population supports (McKay et al. 2011: 115). According to a national survey conducted in January 2015 by an Australian media research firm, it was found that “58 percent of Australians considered the country’s position on asylum-seekers either appropriate or too soft; only 26 percent thought it too tough” (The New York Times 2015). These opinions are also exemplified through major political parties, shown by the fact that changing Australian Governments from different political parties have all carried out similar policies. This could be related to the fact, that Australia has a long history of selectivity and control in terms of the country’s immigration policies, tracing back to the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 (McKenzie and Hasmath 2013:

Political unrest and local war happens around the world all the time. Many people live in a dangerous situation and suffered from violence. Hence, large amount of asylum seeker undertakes a huge perilous, try to cross the ocean and arrive Australia. To deal with this issue, Australian government enacted mandatory detention policy and offshore processing policy, these policies become highly contentious in the community with many arguments and criticisms. This report will focus on the nature and purpose of these immigration policies and the impact towards the asylum seeker as well as the criticism form international. To propose some advice about how the future policies should be framed.

Millions of people around the world have no choice but to flee their homeland to escape war, genocide, torture and persecution (Amnesty international, 2014). In the story ‘The Happiest Refugee’ written by Anh Do the famous Australian comedian talks about his family’s life as a refugee and the struggles they faced beginning their life in Australia. The components that will be looked at include: The effects of poverty on his family, the struggle of being a refugee and how family stick together.

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.

Unfortunately, the narrative concerning refugees and asylum seekers as presented in the media is an overall negative one. Most of the fear present in Australian society is aggravated by media coverage. When discussing the representation of refugees it is important to take into consideration the language that is used and often associated with refugees. In most discussions presented in the national news, refugees are represented as a threat to

Asylum seekers or refugees have fled their countries’ due to volatile circumstances such as war, or fear of prosecution. Upon arrival in Australia they are moved to detention centres. Detention centres hold people who have come without a visa, any non-national and all unauthorised boat arrivals (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2014). These centres hold refugees for indefinite periods and in poor conditions. They are used as a spectacle to represent illegality and a threat to Australian society (Marfleet, 2007, p672).

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.

My first point is about the Australian government and how they spend more money on giving refugees a place to live, than they do looking after Australians that are in need. In the last 2 years they have spent 1.2 billion dollars on offshore detention centres, Manus Island, Naura and Christmas Island. This money was spent on operating the centre, health care, welfare services, food supplies and the security around the facilities. The government is quick to spend all this money on asylum seekers, when there are tens of thousands of homeless, less fortunate and under-privileged people scattered all over Australia. These people struggle to pay bills, rent, get food on the table and even a roof to sleep under. Asylum seekers flee there county with very little, they arrive with clothes and few small items accompanying them, they expect the

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.

For most of us a refugee is not only a boat person but might also be referred to as a ‘queue jumper’. But a real refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. Thousands of these refugees attempt to cross the Australian borders and to gain permanent residency in the place we all call home.

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.

As a former refugee who has 11 years in Australia, I am well aware of the needs of the refugees who have arrived Australia. I was resettled here as a refugee on 30/11/2004, and since then, I have been able to started my own family business (Smile Kids Family Day Care), providing and caring for the children of working parents currently with 60 registered educators and hundreds of children being look after. As a result, I believe that I can assist the applicants by providing them with necessary support activities given my background and experience. This application is being submitted to try to resettle my family members who have been affected by the war in South Sudan and I will do everything in my power to support their resettlement in Australia.