The new Australian government’s agenda when it comes to asylum seekers and their rights is both far-reaching and regressive. Slashing the overall refugee intake, for example, is a travesty given Australia’s developed economy, while removing rights of appeal and legal assistance for asylum seekers already in Australia flies in the face of this country’s ‘Fair
Read moreAustralia’s new Prime Minister Tony Abbott will be claiming a lot of mandates during the coming term of Federal Government. Some, including his determination to repeal the carbon tax, are likely to meet formal opposition within the Parliament. Other parts of his “Real Solutions” policy platform, however, can expect far easier passage through both the
Read moreWell. At least all the ads have stopped now. Finding something positive to say about the current Federal election campaign has become more difficult the longer it has gone on, such that many are just thankful it all ends – one way or another – tomorrow evening. So much talk, so little debate. So many
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Australians are compassionate people. That is what I have learnt from the hundreds of face-to-face conversations I have had in the past two weeks as part of the Hot Potato van travelling from Melbourne to Brisbane to talk to people and take the heat out of the asylum seeker debate. The politicians have put the
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As we all waited with baited breath for the announcement of Rudd’s new asylum seeker policy on Friday, speculation mounted. Rumours were rife, especially as the expected 2pm press conference was delayed to 4.30pm. The asylum seeker and refugee sector waited nervously as Rudd and his contingent appeared before the throng of media along with
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