The Election’s Finally Over: So, What Does Australia Need To Deal With Next?

Australia has a government (finally). With that business behind us, what should be first on the agenda? Here’s one member’s thoughts.

There is no questioning that the issue that must be dealt with by Australia is one that we have been avoiding for a long time now: The current refugee crisis needs to be addressed not only to help those directly affected, but to change how Australia is viewed internationally.

It is common knowledge that refugees coming from Middle Eastern countries to Australia seeking asylum are not being treated appropriately; not just by 21st century standards or those dictated by the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but by Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court (where Manus Island’s detention centre resides) too.

The UN’s Declaration, might I add, was formed and written by representatives from many UN countries, including Australia. History has, sadly, proven that Australia does not have a good track record of treating those closest or in need with the humane respect they deserve, with the UN even calling out Australia for “repeatedly breaching international obligations” of Indigenous Australians.

This needs to change, especially with regards to the current refugee crisis. It is only going to get bigger; more people are going to lose their homes, flee for a better life or simply seek refuge from war-struck countries. As a large, economically-sound nation, it is our duty to assist these people.

Australia's current way of dealing with this crisis, via offshore processing, is less than admirable. However, research has shown that many European countries are looking at our current solution with interest, seeking to replicate it. We would all be proud of this, were it not for the fact that none of us should take pride in the conditions in which we are keeping our refugees.

Australia is welcoming the Middle Eastern refugees with a prolonged background check, "temporary" places to live on remote islands in less than decent conditions and a sense of safety to rival the country they had tried so desperately to escape.

A baby was flown from one of these "refugee camps" (now aptly called detention centres) to a hospital here in Australia with severe burns, due to unsafe living conditions. The doctors and nurses with the hospital responsible for the infant’s care, despite it now making a full recovery, did not release the child due to the conditions it was being sent back to. This alone should make all Australians quiver in guilt, rethink everything and prevent this situation from continuing. But it doesn't.

Australians pride themselves on the stereotypes surrounding their sports and BBQs; hospitality to be rivalled. This is evident in our national anthem, where, with hand on heart, we cry that "we've boundless plains to share." Either we address this national and international issue with the open hearts we pride ourselves on having, or rewrite the very foundations our great nation is built upon.

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Photo: Chasing Asylum.