More decent Australians and others
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=185860
I just wanted to let people in Norway know that not all Australians support the actions of our Government with regard to the refugees aboad the Tampa.
Many of us are ashamed and embarrassed. First of all to ask the Tampa to pick up the refugees from a sinking boat, and then to refuse the Tampa entry to Australian waters. And the final shame, to send the army to board the ship!
The refugee situation is not an easy one for Australia. Community opinion is very divided, and it is fair to say that a majority does support the government. There is strong opposition to the idea that these people are "jumping the queue", and a belief that many of them are economic refugees rather than people in fear of their lives, because ordinary people could not afford the thousands of dollars paid to the people-smugglers.
Other people point to the fact that Australia does not have a very large quota of refugees anyway, and that we could do more to meet international obligations. Obviously there are no easy answers.
But nothing justifies the government's shameful actions. Even more shameful for us, our opposition party (supposedly social democratic) is supporting the government, and the only party to speak out is the Greens.
Anne McMenamin. Australia
I live in Australia and have been witness to the media frenzy in the last few days over the horrible situation that has been created for Asylum seekers and the crew of a Norwegian ship off the cost of Australia.
The reason this situation has developed is due to the quest of our unpopular conservative Prime Minster to win the racist vote. Before this event unfolded the newspapers were full of news about his party being involved in pulling scams and not following its own tax policies that are a heavy burden on all members of the community.
Now to look strong our leader is refusing to help these people stranded in the middle of the ocean. He is trying to look like a man of action since he is highly unpopular and an election is looming. To do this he is using hundreds of innocent people as political pawns.
As a member of the Australian community I would like to say that I think this ship and the asylum seekers aboard should immediately be able to enter this country and that any other policy is inhumane.
Brett Munckton
Melbourne, Australia
The obscenity of Australia's reaction to the situation of the people on the Tampa diminishes us all. Embattled Australian Prime Minister Howard, facing almost certain electoral defeat no doubt, believes he can revive his fortunes by touching the racist, exclusionist, electorally valuable, nerve that has for so long bedevilled Australian politics.
I refuse to believe that Australians are so myopic, so fearful, so barbaric. We have here a boat of 438 people, all of whom were desperate enough to risk all on a disabled, leaky, rotten, boat to escape from their misery, and who were properly and commendably rescued from death by a sensible and ethical Norwegian captain and his crew. Let us all pray that Australia's response doesn't deter other captains from following the same, correct, course in future. Perhaps it may even be Australian sailors in danger?
This is not a time to quibble or to run up the flags of future deterrent or of ethnic or cultural purity. Whatever the "politics" of the situation, 438 men women and children are in a dire situation on the high seas. Every minute that they remain there reduces us all and gravely damages Australia's reputation in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Rod Hagen
Anthropologist
Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia
I must apologise for the way the Australian government has acted towards the courageous crew of the Tempa and the plight of the asylum seekers.
The Australian government is at the moment struggling to come to term with the number of people seeking asylum. I and many others do not agree with the policies that the government has developed with regards to these issues and strongly detest the way in which they have acted in the last few days.
Please don't judge all Australians by the way you might see the government acting.
I hope this whole matter is resolved quickly and compassionately.
Douglas Galbraith
Brisbane, Australia
Those people who are apologetic about Australia's action in relation to the asylum seekers on the Tampa are in a minority. The fact is in several polls, an average of 95% of Australians support the government's actions and I don't find it surprising. The smuggling of illegal migrants from Indonesia is just getting out of control with intelligence claiming several thousand more are on their way.
Current detention facilities in Australia are at bursting point and this situation is unsustainable. Australians are supportive of refugees but what we don't appreciate are the "queue jumpers" who with a lot of money, buy and bribe their way to Australia and unfairly displacing legitimate refugees who have gone through the proper processes. We need to send a tough message to the smugglers that Australia is not a soft target.
Eddie McGuire
Melbourne, Australia
To the people of the world, on behalf of the majority of Australians who are shocked and appalled by their government's actions, I apologise. We often postulate and pontificate to the world on Human Rights, our credibility is now gone. How we can ever be an effective operator in International politics now is beyond me.
To the Norwegian people, the refugees and the international community, I have nothing to offer but my apology. Please be assured that this does not represent the views of the majority of Australians.
To John Howard (PM), I remind him that history will judge him for this. An immoral, unjust, illegal, barbaric and unnecessary act.
Karl Davis
Sydney, Australia
Indonesian people smugglers are making huge sums of money from queue jumpers wealthy enough to fly to Indonesia and hire one way only boats to Australia.
Australia is now saturated with illegal immigrants, which we feed, clothe, house, educate and provide with medical and dental care. Australia is still spending millions of dollars freeing and supporting the people of East Timor from Indonesian tyranny.
The Captain of the Tampa picked up these boat people in Indonesian waters and was taking them to the nearest port at Merak, Indonesia. The boat people 'forced' him to return to international waters where he asked Australia for food and medicine but not initially for medical aid. Australia agreed to supply these but forbade the ship to enter Australian waters. The Captain chose to defy this order and Australia had no other choice but to assert its sovereignty which it every right to do.
Shirley Andersson
Melbourne
Australia
I am writing to let you know of my embarassment at the Australian Government's actions in this incident. It is a national disgrace and, for the first time, I am ashamed to be Australian.
Please understand that the current conservative government does not reflect the opinions of most Australians. They are an incompetent rabble, pandering to the ignorant and bigoted and fully deserve international condemnation for this madness.
It defies belief that a country that supposedly prides itself on fairness and egalitarianism can act in such a dismal, inhuman way.
On behalf of many Australians, I apologise to the people of Norway.
Scott Chapman
Sydney, Australia
I can only hope that Norwegians do not judge all Australians or our country by this deplorable situation. Personally it makes me feel ill to think that my country is acting so inhumanely and callously towards these helpless boat-people.
There are many people, both in public office and private individuals, who are equally outraged and upset at our government's handling of the situation, and the opposition's complicity.
I can only hope for a speedy, humane and sane resolution of this crisis and that the current environment of hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers may end soon.
Toby Driscoll
Australian,
currently living in Denmark
The fact is Australia gave and continues to give humanitarian aid to these people and to thousands of others.
My taxes pay for that.
Australia welcomes people from all over the world .... IF they apply legally to enter our country.
The second verse of our national anthem contains the words ... "for those who've come across the seas we've boundless plains to share ... with courage let us all combine to Advance Australia Fair" This holds true ... IF THEY APPLY LEGALLY TO COME HERE ... even Norwegians come here.
Nobody asked Australians to defend your country in World War II but Australians did it anyway ... think about that for a moment.
This is not a personal attack on your staff ... just another more truthful view from the other side of the world.
Pete Konnecke
Sydney, Australia
I would like an opportunity to thank and congratulate the captain of the Tampa for his courageous actions today in sailing in towards Australia. He seems to be one of the few people with a heart in this whole affair. I hope the people of Norway will be very proud to have him as a citizen.
I am personally embarrassed that the government of my country has sent commando troops on board the Tampa. If it is any consolation I would like to extend a personal apology for such an act.
Eamonn Sheridan
Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
The people of Norway and their royal family are an example to us all, as are the Norwegian ship's captain and crew who are acting so responsibly towards the passengers of their stricken ship.
This is probably politically incorrect, but if all societies and religions could embrace such sane attitudes regarding the worth of the individual, the world would be a safer place.
We hear far too much about the Taliban, and far too little about you Norsemen. I think it's time for Norwegians to have more say. Please tell us how to bring up our children!
Yours sincerely,
Anne Riach
Scotland
