This week’s reading discussed refugees, and how the aim of current Refugee Legislation, globally, has moved “from human rights to border enforcement and then to organised crime” (Morrison 2003: 477). If we consider the discourse within Australian Politics on illegal immigration and refugees, we can see how ‘boat people’ are not viewed with compassion by our Government.
I don’t understand this demonising view of refugees, how can this view be anything more than institutionalised racism? Why can't we offer them the help they need?
Some worry that these refugees will be a drain on our country’s resources, fallaciously perhaps. The International Monetary Fund has declared Australia to have “the strongest economy in the developed world … [forecasting our] unemployment rate to remain low at 5.2 per cent” (Wright 2012). A recent study by the Australian Human Resource Institute found that 7 out of 10 employers in Australia were in need of skilled labour (Working in Australia 2012). These facts together suggest that we cannot rely on the population we have to fill these jobs. Doesn’t it seem likely that refugees would jump at the chance to not only to live in the world’s most liveable city but also to work in it?
I simply don’t understand why we can’t allow more refugees into our country. It is not only a humanitarian issue, it is also a smart economic decision that will continue to strengthen our economy. At the very least wouldn’t it also give us a chance to spread the joys of Globalisation to those who may otherwise not have access to Facebook?
 |
| the kitten is sad because s/he doesn't have access to Facebook (Source: LOLcat Pictures 2012) |
Reference List
LOLcat Pictures (2010), Haz a Sad, accessed 14 August 2012 <http://www.lolcatpictures.net/pictures/haz_a_sad.htm>
Morrison , J. (2003), ‘The dark side of globalisation': the criminalisation of refugees’, in R Robertson & KE White (eds), Globalization: critical concepts in sociology, Routledge, London, pp.474-7.
Working In Australia (2012), Migration and Australia, accessed 14 August 2012 <http://www.workingin-australia.com/visa/skill-shortages/migration#.UCpzWqlUNvc>
Wright, J. (2012), ‘Australian economy leads the world’, the Sydney Morning Herald, 18 April, accessed 14 August 2012 <http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/australian-economy-leads-the-world-20120418-1x6ac.html>
For human rights, I completely agree with your point of view. No matter which countries for humanitarian should try best ability to assist the refugees. Especially on the economic powerful Australia, but also had a title of the most suitable cities of the world for human habitation. However, for the countries, unconditional acceptance of refugees actually may bring a lot of social problems. Such as social security will decrease and too many refugees will affect the countries’ ethnic relation that they moved. In general, refugees into a country had good effects; of course, there had bad effects as well. The government should strengthen its legal system.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment!
DeleteI agree that unconditional acceptance is not wise, it would provide too much incentives for non-refugees to come into the country. I may not have argued clearly enough, but I'm advocating more refugees entering the country.
I enjoyed this post and in general have been enjoying everyones response to this issue and how most are very well thought out and informed. Your breadth of referencing and information is to be applauded but some of your statements are a little over the top but i realise that is part of your blogs. The last statement regarding New Zealand was fantastic bring the argument to a great point. Well done!
ReplyDelete