Roadside demonstration report
Bush, Beach and Bash report
Valla Beach market stall: Saturday 7th December
Life in Australia for Medevac transferees
Medevac and Senator Lambie
Roadside demonstration report
We
had another successful roadside demonstration next to the Big Banana
last Thursday, with lots of support from passing motorists. Our seven
supporters were joined for a while by two students who had recently
graduated from the Coffs Harbour Senior College. Their interest and
enthusiasm was truly uplifting!
Our
next demonstration, which will be our final one for 2019, will be by
the Pacific Highway in Coffs Harbour, opposite the base hospital, on Thursday 12th December from 2.30 to 4.00 pm.
We hope that many of you will try to get along to support us in
reminding the public about our shameful treatment of asylum seekers and
refugees.
Bush, Beach and Bash report
There
was a great turn out of thirty supporters for our final fundraising
event of the year on Sunday. Half of the group enjoyed a stroll around
the Jagun nature reserve, led by John and Bronwyn who shared with us
their great knowledge of the flora and fauna of the reserve. Somehow, we
didn’t make it the beach! Lunch on the deck followed, and it was clear
that everyone welcomed the opportunity to eat, drink and enjoy one
another’s company until mid-afternoon. We raised an amazing $905 from
donations and the raffle of a bottle of Veuve Cliquot. Together with the
money raised from the recent sale of coins, other donations and sales
at our market stall, it looks as if we will far exceed our 2019
fundraising target of $10,000 for the Asylum Seekers Centre. We will let
you know the total amount for the year in our final newsletter of 2019
on 17th December.
Valla Beach market stall: Saturday 7th December
Our final market stall for 2019 will be at the popular Valla Beach market on Saturday 7th December from 9.00 am until 1.00 pm. We’ll
be collecting signatures on our open letter to the Prime Minister,
handing out information leaflets and selling merchandise to raise funds
for the Asylum Seekers Centre. Please drop by to sign the letter if you
are visiting the market. If you can help out at our stall for an hour or
two, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com. New volunteers are always very welcome.
Life in Australia for Medevac transferees
At
this critical point in the government’s efforts to repeal the Medevac
legislation, it is worth remembering that the Coalition has always been
opposed to the transfer of sick refugees to Australia from offshore
detention, and has spent large sums of taxpayers’ money attempting to
block transfers over a number of years through the courts, but to no
avail. The courts have routinely ordered the transfer of sick people,
accompanied by family members, on the grounds that their medical needs –
most often mental health problems – could not be met offshore. Once the
refugees are here, lawyers intervene to prevent their return to the
punishing regime from which they have been transferred. Since the start
of 2016, only about eight people have been returned to offshore
detention, much to Minister Dutton’s chagrin.
But
what is life like in Australia for this group of people? The reality is
that they live in fear of being returned offshore, they have few
rights, and many restrictions on their lives. Most of those transferred
remain in community detention and are subject to curfews, restrictions
on their movements and the requirement to report weekly to the
authorities – much like alleged criminals on bail. It is not surprising
that they are often unable to overcome the sense of worthlessness that
offshore detention instils. Academic and journalist Saba Vasefi
explains: “Poor rehabilitative services and deprivation from civil
engagement are two major components which contribute to refugees’
disempowerment.” People’s fear and uncertainty breeds anxiety and
prolonged illness. One refugee reported: “Two days ago, my sister called
my caseworker and she said: “you might get sent back to Nauru,” and so
then again we get depressed.”
Nicolas
Procter, professor of mental health nursing at the University of South
Australia, has been working with asylum seekers for 25 years and advises
governments on health and suicide prevention programmes for refugees.
He says: “It takes time for people, particularly who have been in some
cases in excruciating distress and despair, to be able to talk about
that, to be able to bring about a calmer sense of self in all of that
experience. That’s one of the real-world issues that this
at-times-fragile and vulnerable group are in need of.” Unsurprisingly,
professor Procter says that removing the threat of being returned to
Nauru or PNG would help patients’ recovery. He adds: “Many people are
dealing with such tremendous amounts of uncertainty that is linked to
excruciating states of distress. If you want to rock somebody’s mental
health, give them a dose of uncertainty and that will do it.”
There
is clearly an urgent need for the government to treat these sick people
with humanity and sensitivity, to manage their medical problems
appropriately and to reassure them that they will not be returned to the
terrible situation on Nauru and in PNG. We need a compassionate, safe,
and permanent solution for these people, so that they can finally have
some sense of security and, with support, rebuild their shattered lives.
Medevac and Senator Lambie
At
the time of writing, we are still in the dark about Senator Lambie’s
voting intention in relation to the government’s bid to repeal the
Medevac legislation. She has stated that she will back the government
provided that it meets her demand for a quid pro quo which she refuses
to disclose as it is a “national security issue.” It has been widely
speculated that she will back the government provided that it agrees to
take up the New Zealand government’s offer to resettle 150 refugees, but
this has neither been confirmed nor denied. Senator Lambie has been
under huge pressure to do the right thing, namely to refuse to support
the repeal of the legislation, from a wide range of organisations and
citizens. It seems that only the Coalition, supported loudly by its
friends in the Murdoch press, is keen to see the Medevac legislation
repealed. Most Australians, according to a recent Guardian poll, back
the legislation in its current form, or believe that it should be more
compassionate. Only 22% of respondents believe that the current
legislation weakens Australia’s borders. But that has not stopped
Senator Mathias Cormann from spouting the usual government nonsense,
stating on Monday: “Each individual senator has to make a decision:
whether they stand on the side of stronger national security or weaker
national security.”
It
is very likely that the repeal bill will be tabled in the Senate this
week. We can only hope, for the sake of the sick refugees, that the
government suffers another defeat.
It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.
This newsletter is sent to >670 recipients
Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/
(579 likes)
Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam
No comments:
Post a Comment