Egg over immigration policy

Save for the indigenous peoples, Australia is largely an immigrant country. The irony is, immigration continue to be a hot issue, especially during election period.

I remember Pete talking about how people then were apprehensive about Afghan camel drivers taking over jobs from Australians. In fact, this is a job to transport goods in the outback which is dry as the nun's nasty; a job few regular blokes would take. Now, the issue is about Afghan refugees! Bloody Mary!

While the 'white policy' ended in the 70s, the prejudice remains in the minds of the racists. The issue has remain explosive and divisive as ever.

Today a 55-year-old man from North Beach in Perth's north attempted to hit the PM with an egg. Outside the hotel about 30 protesters waved placards as the prime minister's car swept past them on the way to the ABC studios. Some shouted "Shame on Gillard'' and accused her of violating basic human rights with her planned shift back to offshore processing of asylum seekers.

Election is round the corner and as usual, the Labor government need to position itself on this issue. The East Timor government has responded negatively to Gillard's government proposal for off-shore processing. The government made a blue again.

I just hope we would stop peddling other people's lives to advance selfish agenda. It's terrible for our country and our relationship with our neighbors. Just as in 1973, when the Whitlam Labor government started implementing a series of amendments preventing the enforcement of racial aspects of the immigration law, I am optimistic this public discussion will lead us to a more humane policy that will uphold Australia as a multi-racial and multicultural society and a government, Labor or not, upholding basic human rights even though they are not or not yet Australian citizens and as the DIMIA (2006) put it "to build on our success as a culturally diverse, accepting and open society, united through a shared future"

Interesting Links:

• ABC New - "Gillard escapes egging as protest boils over"
• The Daily Telegraph - "Prime Minister Julia Gillard dodges egg thrown by protester in Perth"