The policy announcement today by the Federal Opposition in relation to asylum seekers is disappointing in the extreme. Here is a media release we've put out today. I'd encourage you, if you feel the same way, to express your view, to your local MP.
'The use of asylum seekers for political point-scoring has now reached a new low. Leaders of the Uniting Church in Australia are horrified by the most recent remarks and policy announcement by the Opposition.
The President of the Uniting Church, Rev. Alistair Macrae said, “While the shock jocks who enjoy whipping up a frenzy at the expense of vulnerable people may find Mr Morrison’s language appealing, it is inappropriate to be developing public policy that takes ‘aim’ at people.”
“The image of a stable, peaceful and democratic government armed with bows and arrows aimed at defenceless people seeking freedom and protection is callous, violent and extremely irresponsible. It is a shocking demonstration of how deep the Opposition is prepared to sink in order the harness a few votes,” said Rev. Macrae.
“Mr Abbott and Mr Morrison, who both proudly proclaim their Christian faith have lost sight of the core of that faith – ‘love your neighbour’ and ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. They have failed to demonstrate any commitment to one of the Judeo-Christian tradition’s most enduring directives – ‘welcome the stranger’.
“Mr Abbott and Mr Morrison have abandoned not only Christian values but basic human decency in a return to policies which punish already vulnerable people. The Rudd Government put an end to Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Bridging Visas without family reunion because it was the right thing to do. These old policies of the previous Howard Government caused harm and the Opposition knows it.”
Rev. Macrae said, “Asylum seekers whose claims for refugee protection have been granted have a right to be with their families, away from the persecution they were fleeing.”
”Refugees who have suffered torture and persecution, and those who have had family members disappear or been murdered or imprisoned may not be well enough to work or to work for the dole.
“We are talking about people who often need to be treated for such conditions as post-traumatic stress and severe trauma.
“Callous and punitive policies such as this are not the mark of a fair, decent and progressive country.
“There is nothing to fear from reaching out a helping hand to those in need. In fact, when Australia has acted with decency in the past, we have been repaid many times over. We have helped many people fleeing from persecution and conflict in the past – East Timorese, Kosovars, Vietnamese, Jews – and our society is now richer for their presence and their legacy.
“We can only hope and pray that our politicians rediscover some basic human decency, and quickly, before more lives are unnecessarily destroyed,” said Rev. Macrae.'
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
TONY ABBOTT’S HISTORICAL VIEW PROMOTES A DISTURBING DOCTRINE
The Uniting Church in Australia has warned that Tony Abbott’s denial of Australia’s discriminatory past promotes a disturbing and socially divisive doctrine which could erode historical facts of national importance.
Uniting Church President Rev. Alistair Macrae said the comments made by the Leader of the Opposition revealed a very selective reading of our nation’s history and ignored Australia’s legacy of Indigenous and migrant discrimination.
“If Mr Abbott is claiming that Australia has had a fairer, more diverse and more easy-going past than the ‘black armband view’ of our history then he needs to demonstrate that with facts and not just rhetoric,” said Rev. Macrae.
National Administrator of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Rev. Shayne Blackman said Mr. Abbott’s view that Aborigines were ‘sometimes’ treated cruelly is a gross understatement of an attempt to rewrite the history books for political gain.
“It is a fact that Indigenous Australians were often cruelly treated, until relatively recently forced into hostile places and even massacred. We see the results of this today in the range of tragic Indigenous socio-economic outcomes in this nation.
“If Mr Abbott believes that these tragic events happened only infrequently I challenge him to engage with the broader Indigenous community who are still suffering the lingering effects of our nation’s legacy towards its original inhabitants.
“In this election year people want leaders who can demonstrate moral fortitude, truth and a commitment to learning from the past to enact policies that will deliver just, equitable and prosperous futures – not attempting to rewrite history for political persuasion,” said Rev.
Blackman.
Rev. Macrae said “It is unarguable that Australia has a history of discrimination especially towards aboriginal people. It is also a fact that racially based discrimination continues to overshadow Australia’s long and rich dimension of peaceful and fruitful cultural and linguistic diversity. While we cannot change the past we need to accurately describe it in order to work for a more just and equitable future for all Australians.”
Uniting Church President Rev. Alistair Macrae said the comments made by the Leader of the Opposition revealed a very selective reading of our nation’s history and ignored Australia’s legacy of Indigenous and migrant discrimination.
“If Mr Abbott is claiming that Australia has had a fairer, more diverse and more easy-going past than the ‘black armband view’ of our history then he needs to demonstrate that with facts and not just rhetoric,” said Rev. Macrae.
National Administrator of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Rev. Shayne Blackman said Mr. Abbott’s view that Aborigines were ‘sometimes’ treated cruelly is a gross understatement of an attempt to rewrite the history books for political gain.
“It is a fact that Indigenous Australians were often cruelly treated, until relatively recently forced into hostile places and even massacred. We see the results of this today in the range of tragic Indigenous socio-economic outcomes in this nation.
“If Mr Abbott believes that these tragic events happened only infrequently I challenge him to engage with the broader Indigenous community who are still suffering the lingering effects of our nation’s legacy towards its original inhabitants.
“In this election year people want leaders who can demonstrate moral fortitude, truth and a commitment to learning from the past to enact policies that will deliver just, equitable and prosperous futures – not attempting to rewrite history for political persuasion,” said Rev.
Blackman.
Rev. Macrae said “It is unarguable that Australia has a history of discrimination especially towards aboriginal people. It is also a fact that racially based discrimination continues to overshadow Australia’s long and rich dimension of peaceful and fruitful cultural and linguistic diversity. While we cannot change the past we need to accurately describe it in order to work for a more just and equitable future for all Australians.”
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