Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Refugees and asylum seekers

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (13:37): For 100 days a dedicated and determined group of people seeking refuge in Australia have been outside the home affairs office in my electorate pleading for some response from the Labor government about what is going to happen to their lives. Many of them have been in limbo for over 12 years, punished by Australia’s immigration policies, despite fleeing war and persecution. Many of them have fled torture, only to be tortured by the decisions made by some politicians. Many have taken their own lives as a direct result of the brutality of the Liberals and Labor.

Last Tuesday, as the community gathered to mark 100 days of the encampment, neo-Nazis attempted to attack the rally. This was the third time. As Rathi described in the aftermath, when you have been subjected to genocidal attacks before, you recognise the hatred and the danger. After 12 years of a race to the bottom by Labor and the Liberals wanting to look tough on borders by othering, demonising and stereotyping all refugees and asylum seekers, is it any wonder that racists like the neo-Nazis feel emboldened to attack some of the most vulnerable members of our community? Our words matter. Our policies matter. Our politics matter.

A young mother told me that she has been told to put her daughter into foster care and leave the country. This is what our border officials are telling people right now. There are 10,000 people in our community working, living, contributing and raising their children, who need our protection. It will cost us nothing to grant them permanent protection, and we as a community would gain everything. Permanent visas now.