Increasing rates of self-harm and a string of suicides reveal a troubling picture of Australian immigration detention centres. Deteriorating conditions are taking their toll on asylum seekers, yet the Australian government is persisting with its policy of mandatory detention. Susannah Waters speaks to some people at the heart of the...
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Tag Archives: boat people
Offshore processing is dead, courtesy of politics, not conscience.
Offshore processing of asylum seekers is dead. For now. But does this indicate a new era of clean conscience for our government? A born-again Machine Gun Preacher-like about face towards a more humane approach to those who need our help? Will it mean that Labor will start representing those on...
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When I move you move: it’s the conflict, stupid.
The other week, Triple J's Hack featured a IV-part series looking at the decade since 9/11. One of the interviewees, an academic from ANU, spoke of how 9/11 and the subsequent conflicts have been a catalyst for increased migration. In particular, of forced migration; or in Australian terms, 'why people...
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Go Back To Where You Came From: Superb, uncomfortable & influential (?) viewing
Last night, SBS Australia aired the first episode of groundbreaking new show, Go Back To Where You Came From. In this post, Sarah Forsterling outlines her reaction to the show, and wonders whether it will have any impact on the wider debate about asylum seekers worldwide....
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Go back to where you came from!
For about three decades, between 1976 and the mid-1990s, Australia accepted over 150,000 refugees from much of SE Asia and China. Today, many Australians seemingly baulk at the idea of 50 people appearing on the coastline seeking asylum. What changed? What are Australians' attitudes towards refugees and is this reflected...
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Breaking: Australia accepts refugee swap deal with North Korea
Following successful negotiations with Malaysia, Australia's Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, today announced a new deal to exchange asylum seekers travelling to Australia with refugees currently living in North Korea. Weh Yeoh reports on the latest details of this deal, which includes support from Australia's Opposition Party and a surprise package...
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The blind leading the blind
In this post, Hannah explores the Australian government’s controversial new refugee transfer policy with Malaysia from the perspective of international human rights law and regional influence. What is the real cost of this policy on the international human rights framework? She argues that by shirking its responsibilities under international law...
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Immigration nation and the refugee situation: another case of history repeating
The issue of unwanted boat arrivals in Australia is a hot topic on the agenda. Late last year, we posted an article that posed the simple question: why? Why is there such a huge concern over a very small number of people coming to our shores? Why are there so...
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