Labor leader Bill Shorten poked a very large stick into the wheels of Labor for Refugee’s bicycle earlier this week when he expressed a very definite vote for asylum seeker boat turn-backs, slotting neatly into current LNP policy.
But there was no sign of such meek capitulation by asylum seeker supporters on show today outside the Labor Conference at the Melbourne Convention centre.
A huge crowd of asylum seeker supporters for a more compassionate policy chanted:’ no racism, no fear, refugees are welcome here ‘ while Labor delegates inside the Convention centre were in the process of voting on Labor’s brand-new, revised policy.
In the weeks leading up to the Conference there’s been plenty of grassroots politicing for a more compassionate policy. The argument that Labor needs to ‘neutralise’ the political debate on asylum seekers in order to gain ground in the electorate is deeply flawed. The issue is no longer about a few thousand people seeking protection – the extreme polices implemented by the Coalition and generally supported by Labor are more far reaching in their effect: they are flagrantly violating human rights and damaging people, they are damaging Australia’s reputation as a decent country, undermining our democratic institutions and pandering to xenophobic tendencies within our community. The issue has become a litmus test for our national character, and at this point we are failing that character test.
There was certainly no softening of this hardline compassion from the speakers who addressed an enthusiastic crowd. Michelle O’Neill from Labor for Refugees and the TCFUA (Textile Clothing & Footwear Union) said the debate taking place in the conference was ‘ crucial to Australia’s history.’
‘ Turning back boats’ she said ‘is not just turning back boats; it’s turning back desperate people.’ She admitted that Labor had failed in the past in its refugee policy, ‘ but the failure lay in not showing strong leadership to change public opinion.’ ‘Shame on you Bill Shorten, shame on you Richard Marles’ she added. I wondered if the delegates inside the building could hear the huge roar of approval from the crowd that greeted her words.
But when former Hazara refugee Mohammad Ali Baqiri moved to the microphone a quieter hush fell over the crowd. He related the harrowing story of his journey to Australia by boat at the age of eight. After seven days traveling from Indonesia the boatload of 150 refugees, including women and children, caught fire and it was two hours before they could be rescued. ‘ ‘Coming from a landlocked country like Afghanistan’ he said ‘we feared swimming but we feared being burned alive too.’ Ali Baqiri was scathing of Labor’s policy. ‘If they are called the Opposition’ he said ‘ why aren’t they opposing?’ When he concluded by telling us he was doing a Commerce / Law degree so he could ‘contribute to the country’ I think many of us were close to tears. Personal stories of asylum seekers always have the power to undermine the most rational hardline political debates which are often fabricated in some sleazy backroom deal.
I spoke also to some in the crowd to get a more accurate sense of the mood, to gauge whether the uncompromising messages on placards being held aloft, were consistent with general views.
Adrienne had come from Greensborough with her daughter Ruby, along with her friend Dani. ‘ We oppose offshore detention totally’ said Adrienne. ‘However people arrive she said they should all be welcomed; onshore processing should be done quickly ,children should be protected and all asylum seekers should be supported with appropriate welfare.’ It was clear that this was the unanimous belief of a crowd who had been prepared to travel to Melbourne on a cold winter’s day to provide an uncomfortable irritant for the Labor conference.
It was still unclear however, whether the delegates inside had been listening to what the crowd believed was ‘crucial to Australia’s history’ or whether the party machine had already moved on and rubber stamped a policy that was, as one speaker lamented, ‘ a gift to Abbott.’
Later Saturday:
The Labor national conference voted down a motion to reject the policy of turning back asylum seeker boats after an emotional and passionate debate. The hour-long debate was initially interrupted by protesters who unfurled a banner saying “no refugee tow backs”.
Thanks John
Somehow I sense (hope?) that we are at a turning point here, but there’s no cause for complacency at all. Every day of these horrific abuses of needy people demeans us. Thankyou for your commitment and taking a stand for those of us who weren’t there
Thanks John for your comprehensive coverage of a demonstration that was both emotional and inspirational. I watched the conference debate on ABC 24 on my return home and I am still struggling to understand how the delegates were so easily persuaded by the so called sweeteners – not only will a compassion driven ALP now turn back boats it is trying to convince itself and us that it is progressive by restating existing policy in relation to TPVs and promising new refugee targets that are substantially less than those set when Labor was last in government! Jenny Wills
Agreeing with Yvonne, John – this is an excellent post.
During these last 18 months or so, I have felt so disillusioned with Australian politics and Australian politicians. Given that surveys indicate that something over 60% of Australians want the government to crack down even harder on asylum seekers who come by boat, I am also pretty disgusted with most of my compatriots … so frequently reminding me that in a democratic system, the majority gets the government it deserves.
So thanks John for reminding me of the strength of commitment of those humane Australians, also my compatriots, who never tire of saying it again and saying it loud, that we must defend the right to seek asylum and we must support those who seek asylum in our country.
Cheers,
Ian
John,
Excellent comment and pics. I will continue to talk to MP’s of all parties, and the media calling for the immediate release of all detained children to community care; and for the development of a humane responses to people seeking asylum, informed by the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol;and for the closure of all long term detention centres, onshore and offshore.
Yvonne