Asylum seeker policy: What will be the result?

Let us face it, it is not illegal to seek asylum in another country. On 31st of August, the High Court of Australia ruled the “Malaysia Solution” as simply invalid and unlawful; which demonstrated public expression of relief when this outcome was announced. However, it led to a game by which the government had to find a different direction to run from this issue. Although the re-considered direction of the Pacific solution, Nauru and Manus Island, was ruled out by high court, there are still continuing discussions about which island other than the island called Australia to process asylum seekers.

As a Papua New Guinean, it is unjust to consider Papua New Guinea as an option when it is a country of political unrest, and the citizens have limited rights and access to health and education. The Government is truly shifting their responsibilities and adding excessive issues onto a country which the government cannot even look after its own people. As the first boat arrives since the Malaysia solution failure, will the government ever face the fact that it is legal to seek asylum in Australia? And, what are they attempting to achieve by breaking the people smugglers business model? The answer is no; they will never face that fact. With the Federal Government close to signing off the new asylum seeker policy, they are selfishly attempting to break the hope of these people; the hope for new beginnings.

Comments

Interesting point of view from a fellow PNG resident. I'm in agreement with your points, and I'm concerned that a country with such poor education and health infastructure should be hosting any asylum seekers. PNG is our back gate. Do we want asylum seekers who have spent a long time in TB heaven gaining citizenship and bringing their diseases into the community?

That is certainly right. I feel that asylum seekers who are fleeing from persecution should not be placed on a country with such limitations. There are not enough services to support the people of the country than let alone others who are "dumped" there. As we saw when the detention centre on Manus Island was last open, there were riots, malaria outbreak,high incidents of mental health problems and self-harm were common amongst detainees. In September 2002, more than 40 asylum seekers tried to escape from the island by swimming away. With the current battle of TB within the country, I do not believe that this is fair for the rest of the citizens of Australia because the government wants to play the dump them, out of mind and out of sight game.

A pacific medicare scheme would help to minimise the potential spread. We should stop being so PC, trying to win votes etc and actually help thesehuman beings who are connected to us in so many ways.If someone is ready to risk injury, disease and possible death to escape their own land, then shouldn't we do better than to stick them behind wire and expose them to malaria, TB and God-knows-what-else? The $ that they are spending on the Gold Coast City Council to celebrate Sam Stosser's ability to hit a little fuzzy ball with accuracy could go a long way to improve the lot of our fellow huan beings

The policies and decisions that arise from the Asylum debate will not be determined solely on individual human rights. In part, cost will play a determining factor. Not human cost. Not the suffering of children who spend their formative years detained in conditions no one should have to endure. Not the price of dignity for proud men and women who just want freedom from persecution. Financial cost.
In the search for the option that will please Australian voters, this vast continent lays wide open the door to an invasion much more serious than small boatloads of refugees .
Some parts of PNG are a short boat trip away from our territorial holdings. PNG nationals have been using this backdoor for years to access health services not adequately provided by their own nation. Tuberculosis, malaria and a plethora of third-world diseases are rampant.
The current Asylum debate needs to be widened to incorporate our national response to this crisis. As the health system in PNG worsens, we may see many more refugees headed towards our shores from this direction. The media will not be able to show emotive vision of sinking boats full of women and children. Instead seriously ill individuals will enter Australia undetected. Shouldn’t we be looking towards injecting more money in to our closest pacific neighbours health and welfare systems?

I agree with you John. The aid should be going to health care, education and other welfare systems. Indeed, it should not be spent to bribe the Papua government for holding humans who are free to seek Asylum in Australia. The Australian government should accept this human right and its responsibilities to these vulnerable people and neighbouring countries. They should simply accept the facts and these people. Asylum seekers human rights should be accepted and granted - they are allowed in this country, so let them stay.