Rudd ignores the Humane Solution.
Rudd, so-far ahead of the Liberals, shows no leadership on refugees and much can be said about reverting to Howard’s fear politics…and ALP MPs remain silent! Here is another right-wing union view from Unions NSW.
‘The Australian Government must immediately find a humane solution for the 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers aboard the Oceanic Viking.’
As the asylum seekers spend their 11th day aboard the Oceanic Viking, Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon supported calls to process them on Australian soil, under Australian law.
“The Prime Minister has a fantastic opportunity to step up and show us the high road to a humane solution.”
“This debate is becoming disturbingly shrill. Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees, Indonesia is not.
“These people are desperate. Allow them to be processed under our laws.”
Mr Lennon said the Rudd Government had done much to improve Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers, particularly its efforts too ensure children were no longer locked up.
But the trade union movement would not sit by and watch the public debate degenerate.
Mr Lennon said the strong position taken by the likes of AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes and former Unions NSW Secretary John Robertson was typical of the support asylum seekers could expect from organised labour.
“Unions NSW has a long history of advocating humane asylum seeker policies and we were pivotal in the establishment of Labor for Refugees,” Mr Lennon said.
“Unions believe in a tolerant, compassionate and multicultural nation and will publicly advocate humane policies and solutions,” Mr Lennon concluded.
I think it is great that key unionists are speaking out about Rudd’s recent comments on refugees coming to Australia.
It seems to me that Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s number one fan in Australia sounds little better than the opposition on the issues and is playing to Australian racists.
As a result, I recently wrote the following letter to the The Independent Weekly in Adelaide:
The Editor
The Independent Weekly
editorial@independentweekly.com.au
Dear Sir
RE: LETTER TO THE EDITOR – WILSON TUCKEY & PM KEVIN “RUDDOCK” ON ASYLUM SEEKERS
Australians have come to expect outrageous statements from Opposition backbencher, Wilson Tuckey. This time it is his over the top statements claiming that terrorists are amongst the boatloads of asylum seekers coming to Australia which are even harsher than the statements from his Liberal colleagues who are still intent on scape goating these unfortunate people.
I thought it rather surprising that Kevin Rudd should come out with his harsh comments against asylum seekers. One could be forgiven for thinking that PM Kevin wants to add the letters “ock” to his surname!
Instead of trying to promote himself as being tougher towards asylum seekers than the disciples of John Howard, would it not
be more honest if he explained to the electorate why refugees occur and to show some compassion towards these victims of
war, terrorism and repression? Under international law, the overwhelming majority of these people are not illegal.
The majority of Australians believe in a fair go for the underdog. It is a pity that our two major political parties do not show the same commitment to compassion and social justice? At least one politician, Michael Danby, had the courage to criticise his leader over his insensitivity on this matter.
Yours sincerely
Andrew (Andy) Alcock
ADDRESS: 51 Leah St
FORESTVILLE
SA 5035