Australians, like all people in general, are a caring people however sadly we continue to live in layers of racism which the Australian identity has failed to unveil. Many Australians have a hostile denial of our collective racist identity and of our discriminatory maltreatment of certain peoples. Since the day I was born into this country I have felt the layers of racism, and brutally so. I have been made aware of the colour of my skin, of my parents' country-of-origin, of the fact that I must assimilate in order to have prospects of personal advancement. One day I realised how deep to the bone racism cut. I realised that both my Masters and my PhD research were clearly linked to the racism I have felt. All three projects were research into racism and the pursuit of remedies and closure. However my own personal experiences pale compared to my Aboriginal brothers and sisters and to our Asylum Seekers. However we all suffer alongside them, either through our hostile denial or feelings of shame at our nation's collective racism.
When people call for an end to mandatory detention of our Asylum Seekers, who demonstrated tremendous courage to leave their homelands, we are really calling for an end to racism. When we call for an end to Aboriginal disparity and the effects of our crimes upon them which have led to inter-generational poverty, we are really calling for an end to racism. Those who do not call for an end to this racism, inadvertently support racism, and they are caught up in the racist layers yet unveiled. In their confusion they become self-regarding, not understanding how to fathom other-regarding apothegms and virtues, and instead compound racism and its hurts with perpetual imposts.
During 1999 the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination took unprecedented steps in forewarning Australia that it is perpetuating its historical and hostile racist identity. The Committee scolded Australia for not working to significantly eliminate Aboriginal peoples disadvantage. This year the UN Periodic Review Committee slammed Australia's mandatory detention policies and the impost of the Military Intervention upon the Aboriginal folk of the Northern Territory. We now have the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, a South African, describe what I have at all times known during the 49 years of my life, "a racist Australia". The Commissioner described similarities between Apartheid South Africa and Australia, and she called for an end to mandatory detention and indefinite incarceration of our Asylum Seekers. The Commissioner slammed the Northern Territory Intervention, and described the hurt for the victims of racism, for this impost was most certainly a layer of racism, and hence volatile injustices have transcended. The principle of Aboriginal advancement by Aboriginal peoples is still not understood by most Australians. If it was things would be different. West Australia is as bad as it gets in Australia in trying to displace racism. I have often fought harder than I should in the pursuit of equality, formal and substantive, and in the elimination of racism. The greatest shock for me was when I struggled to have practices implemented in a particular tertiary institution, which should be a bastion of identity-formation and higher knowledges, and where one high ranking staff member said to me, in front of a witness, 'Gerry, why do you bother, what do these blacks want, an education? Send them back to the bush where they belong'.
Between February 21 to 25 the Australian Human Rights Commission visited Villawood Detention Centre, one of 24 Detention Centres, which have cost six lives in eight months and in which thousands have been traumatised, have committed self-harm, and many who have descended into mental and physical despair, and who have evidently realised the layers of racism in this country, as I often did as a young child, in that in fact they are not welcomed and are unwanted. The Commission released its report and findings and prefaced the report with the frustration that they have spent more than a decade in the call for reforms to Australia’s system of mandatory and indefinite immigration detention.
Australia, in the context of its economic wealth and its status among the OECD nations, is one of the abject failures in terms of equality and justice for all peoples and in terms of eliminating racism. Australian governments will not comprehensively fund Aboriginal communities and they will not allow Aboriginal advancement by Aboriginal peoples whatever their political and cultural persuasions and settings, which like the rest of us are many. Australian governments have allowed for horrific living conditions to manifest in the Northern Territory, in its Central Desert, in the East Arnhem, and in other parts of Australia. The Australian government stands in the way of home ownership by Aboriginal folk and furthermore is trying to uproot them from their right to own their cultural and historical lands, that is what is left of them. One only has to visit the Aboriginal camps outside Kalgoorlie-Boulder, to view the squalid conditions our governments have in fact created. These communities are as worse as anything in the the Apartheid communities outside Soweto and Johannesburg. We have many Kwandebeles in Australia. It only takes six months to build a suburb in the southern and northern corridors of Perth with the full suite of community infrastructure including Broadband however it takes forever and a day to toss up a shack for Aboriginal folk in some community hub far removed from the remnants of their cultural lands.
The Australian Human Rights Commission raised its concerns at Australia's bungling snail like bureaucracy in that they take forever and a day to 'process' the applications of our Asylum Seekers. Once again our racist layers contribute to this snail like pace and the relative inactivity. When someone cares about something or someone they are active and not inactive. The detention of our Asylum Seekers is actually unlawful in these illegal facilities however justice is costly. People who have not committee any crime will never accept that it was lawful or any form of moral propriety for them to have been incarcerated for extraordinary long periods. Australia is perpetuating a racial crisis and its legacy will be borne by future generations. Many people have been incarcerated for more than two years and many people who have now gained citizenship were incarcerated for four years. There appears to be an effort by our Asylum Seekers to hang in for about a year however at the year mark it appears a threshold is reached where they begin to break down into depression and various clinical disorders. How long can they bow down and keep smiles on their faces to those who for the record do oppress them? The Commission described a critical overarching factor in that Australia's mandatory detention system permits indefinite detention. They described that there is no set time limit and the general inability for people to be able challenge their detention before a judge. And as of April there were over 1,000 children in Australia's mandatory detention centres thus breaching Australia's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The major recommendation from the Australian Human Rights Commission is that the Australian Government should end the current system of mandatory and indefinite immigration detention, and in other terms that Australia should eliminate one of its most brutal layers of racial discrimination.
As a young child I had hoped the day would arrive that our unfolding human rights language would sweep away the last embers of racism, and my father would promise me that this would happen and most certainly in the lifetime of my own children if not in my time as a child. However we have stopped this journey for the time being. In 1992 the Keating led ALP introduced the horror of mandatory detention for our Asylum Seekers. During the last ten years we have lived the Tampa, the Royal Australian Navy disgracefully turning back boats of Asylum Seekers from September 2001, the horrors of Woomera, Baxter, Port Hedland, Villawood, etc., and then the notorious invasion that is the Northern Territory Military Intervention. Navi Pillay stated the truth, a truth that most of us one way or another do know and Australia is a racist country. As soon as most Australians admit this we can move to the next phase, away from the vacuum of inhumanity and start the journey to equality and humanity, and during the journey one by one unveil our racist layers and discover one another.
Gerry Georgatos
Masters in Social Justice Advocacy, Masters in Human Rights
PhD in Law researcher in Australian Deaths in Custody
Convener, Human Rights Alliance
Comments
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
The RACISTS are those, who say, we can have an entire continent called Africa that is predominantly black. We can have Asian countries, such as China and Japan, that are predominantly Asian and do everything, to keep it that way. We have the entire Middle East, that is predominantly "people of color". Latin America is allowed to be predominantly hispanic. Every single one of these RACIST countries, aggressively ENFORCE their IMMIGRATION LAWS.
The only countries, that do not have the same EQUAL RIGHT as these predominantly countries of "people of color", are predominantly white countries. Predominantly white countries, are the ONLY countries, where RACISTS demand more diversity.
This constant racial profiling of predominantly white countries, as being racist, just because they are predominantly white, is BRUTALLY RACIST.
You sir, are a RACIST.
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
Poor Annie... sob sob - denying the denial. Stop thinking you or the taxes you skip have done the world any good Annie.
I do not wish to condmemn your way of thought - but it IS a product of a system designed to make you think that somehow because Cap'n Cook raped Australia, your background makes you the natural 'benefactors' of this land.
Go get a life, and get off the welfare payments. Have some pride.
...and stop insulting people with british titles like 'sir'.
OH MY GOD! Gerry and GoToHellAnnie ARE RIGHT.
The racist and ignorant comments by Mark and Annie prove everything Gerry has written about racist layers! My God you people should be ashamed of yourselves. Gerry isn't writing that every white man and woman are racist he is explaining that we are trapped in racism whether as the giver of it or the taker and that we are all victims because we will not look into our denial of it. I am ashamed as a white Australian to read comments like Mark's and Annie's in response to Gerry's examination. Gerry clearly describes a personal experience and an academic understanding for the ordinary person of it. No wonder there is so much racism in this country when people have the ignorant views of Mark and Annie where it is about them rather than why and what is still happening in Australia to Aboriginal men and women and to the refugees. It is not just Gerry describing the truth, he also refers to the same views by Navi Pillay, the United Nations investigator and to the Human Rights Commission. Look at Gerry's credentials and the experience of the United Nations and the Human Rights Commission, this is what they do for a living and they have more knowledge not like you two. Shame on you.
Re: OH MY GOD! Gerry and GoToHellAnnie ARE RIGHT.
Oh my god, would stop saying oh my god!
Besides that, aust is a racist country, but no more
racist than any other nation in the world.
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
Once again SHAME ON YOU and good for you Gerry.
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
If anyone thinks there is no racism in Australia then they are racists. Gerry is spot on. Mark and Annie you are blind or bigoted.
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
Yes it is, like Gerry said from the day I was born. Navi, Gerry and the AHRC are correct. When will it change, who knows? But no time soon.
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
it is not just "Gerry describing the truth"
You are right Drew, It is 'Most Definately Not" !!
What Gerry ommited from "Australia a RACIST COUNTRY" was
"New party to fight for Aboriginal voice"
A NEW State and Federal political party wants to give Aboriginal people the voice
that party leaders say has been
sorely missing from Australian politics
"The Ecological Social Juctice Aboriginal Party"
"ESJAP"
Has applied for registration to the WA and Australian Electoral Commission.
With Gerry Georgatos as part of the Leadership.
Arthur Bell.
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
Annie you are racist for telling the truth.
Re: Australia a RACIST COUNTRY, and it is official! We are ...
I hate xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (deleted - racism and vilification)
Refreshing to see other countries than the US attacked as racist
But I thought only white American Republican males could be racist? LOL!
I have to admit, it's refreshing to see other countries attacked for racism other than the US, especially since empirical evidence proves they deserve it more than Americans do.
Race riots, discrimination, hate crimes don't shake Aussies
Australians are just a tad behind canadians in living in a fantasy world image of themselves, in which they are certain that racism only exists in the United States. Race riots, blatant discrimination, and widespread hate crimes don't seem to shake them from their fantasies. In Australia, people think they are tolerant merely by eating in a chinese restaurant, even while a race riot is taking place across the street on the beach before their very eyes. They'll go home and pray for the poor immigrants in the US. The world is a funny idiotic place.
Division between fullblood and caste Aboriginal people is legend
Racism or Prejudice?
We are continually accused of being a racist society.
But is it racism? Or plain old Aussie prejudice!
For instance, Chinese restaurants
dishing up stray cats as rabbit or chicken!
This old tale kept me off Chinese food for years!
Aussie ex-P.O.Ws from ww 2
refusing to buy Japanese cars because of their treatment.
Is this racism?
If so, what is colour prejudice?
If you're white you're right, if you're brown hang around, if you're black get back.
This is a determining factor in Aboriginal society as well.
Is this racism?
And if you're Islander (Mud) get back even further!
The division between Full-Blood
and caste Aboriginal People is legend.
An issue not discussed in the public domain.
Almost a “taboo subject” !
But a fact of life.
You won't hear Marcia Langton or Stephen Hagan
talk about this.
Many Full-Blood will accept and trust a white person before they would a yella-fella
or mixed blood Aboriginal whom they know will
invariably exploit them.
Is this racism?
Torres Strait Islanders are derided by us.
Is this racism?
This is one reason why they are seeking to annul the marriage "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders".
On the grounds of non consummation.
It was a marriage in name only.
Regarding and involving easier
and continued access to funding.
A marriage of convenience so to speak.
(alb c. 9/2007) extract from www.whitc.info
Re: Division between fullblood and caste Aboriginal people ...
@ Authur Bell,
You have been fooled by the myth now used as propaganda that dark skin Aboriginals clash with light skinned Aboriginals, we know its because of the genocidle treatment by invaders, how many children with white fathers that didnt act like fathers or men for that fact, they were gone, I have mates from across the country, to many to name, just so you know race and nationality are different things, ie Aboriginal blood gives you claim to Australias race while all imigrants whether they arrived as the first boat people or todays boat people are part of the Australian nation equally. How can boat people STOP THE BOATS (more propaganda from the one nation handbook). Sorry but the next generations are uniting across the country with one goal, equality whether they want it or not,(outdated) aussies will be left behind with thier head in the sand with real Australian aussie getting involved
Re: Division between fullblood and caste Aboriginal people ...
Sam you speak shit,I bet you are not white and are angry because you know your just a WOG
Re: Division between fullblood and caste Aboriginal people ...
thanks sean, you only confirm my belief the uneducated types (who can only abuse people because you dont understand why you have those beliefs) will be left behind, PS im not of that region of the world, you can have your culture of alcoholism, violence and womanising, must be hard being a white male, no wonder aussies were voted the biggest whingers with simple types like sean, sick of the genocidle lunartics who stole all their knowledge from the romans, chinease, egyptions, arabs and africans and act like they invented it, what did the british invent? what did they steal? keep reading murdoch papers, his almost brainwashed aussies, or keep reading the un qualified wanabe historian windschuttle, aussies are dumbed right down in Australia, lisening to unqualified people like bolt its no wonder we have problems, or is it that other professional ( fish and chips professional) hanson, they are getting rich off the fools of our society, its sad that seems to be the majority, go to professionals for information not unqualified wanabes
Give all children good food, warmth, clothes, education and love
My comment is this, I moved to Australia in 1975 as a seven year old white English boy. And during that time I was bullied by white Australian kids who hated poms.
I was not the only one singled out, there was a girl from Scotland, and a brother and sister from Lebanon who were all metered out some form of racist taunts. Over time things started to get better and we all kind of got accepted, and indeed made friends with each other. I think Australia has made huge leaps and bounds in regards to racist attitudes. But we still have along way to go. Chinese people for example have gone from being the target of racism to winning us over with there fine cuisine. Who doesn't enjoy a chicken chow mein? Indigenous People of Australia have gone from being murdered to being feted in the Arts and Sports world. In academic work, as politicians and judges and lawyers. Sure the situation in remote places in this country is a concern. The short life expectancy of Aboriginal people needs to be rectified.
But there are a lot of poor white kids suffering in some of our towns too. Our total priority in this country should be to make sure all of the children in it are provided with good food, warmth, clothing, education and love. Regardless of their colour or background. As Whitney Houston said once or twice, " Children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way." Us adults have screwed things up for too long. It's time we started thinking about the future we will leave behind. Lets stop thinking in terms of Race and instead think of all humans as a species. And that we are in it together.
Re: Give all children good food, warmth, clothes, education ...
well why dont you ask for an intervention, they could remove all your rights because aussies seem to accept that flawed logic so go to government to have your human rights taken off you because Australia swear thats the appropriate course of action, oh your not suffering that much,its hard in a white male dominated society, would hate to hear the sob story if you was a woman, this attitude make Australia look stupid
Racism is an unfortunate human trait found in ALL countries
I agree with you that racism can be found in Australia. I can cite historical examples. i can even give you anecdotes from my personal experience.
but.... I am a linguistic pedant
when people throw around expressions like "a racist country" I want to know what they mean by that
If you want to say something like, "There is racism in this country and we should do something about it." Then I am with you 100%
But when you make statements like "Australia is a racist country" then I want to know what the hell that means, exactly, because it's anything but clear to me.
to the best of my knowledge, racism is an unfortunate human trait to be found in ALL countries of the world.
so if one country can be described as a 'racist country' then it begs the question, Which countries are the non-racist ones, and how do we determine it?
Re: Racism is an unfortunate human trait found in ALL countries
Australia was built on racism, its the whole justification for Aboriginal dispossesion, continued a eugencys logic to justify the white Australia policy, 50 Aboriginal men were sent over to south Africa during the Boer war (Australias first war) and were denied re entry to Australia because of the white Australia policy, the chinese have always been discriminated againts since they first migrated here, their are remote towns with Aboriginal and chinese mining heritage but you wont find any desendants besides anglo aussies? we had race based migration restrictions, its deeply ingrained in Australia identity, institutionalised, Aboriginals only were counted in 1967, thats almost 200 years after settlement, not much has changed, if it was english refugees coming on boats Australia wouldnt think twice about it, Australia have only just started to allow different races here if they fly in (with money) they are not welcome but their money is, tollerance in not acceptance, Australia are still practicing out dated racial practices, just how does removing human right empower people, is it backward unintelligence or calculated policy? Its not a matter of when did Australia stop these racist policys and practices, it more about have Australia stoped its racist practices, and the answer is no, yes racism is all over the world but thats an excuse designed to avoid any responsability for your own actions, we claim to be a great nation of great people then stop the pathetic excuse of comparing us to 2nd and 3rd world nations, seperating yourself from your own responsabilitys is a weak trait, I was taught as a child to own your actions, not blame others and find staw man arguments to keep it easy for you, racism only came about when greedy people started invading other peoples land, you know the difference between nationality and race dont you? so now you dont have that straw man argument of "what Australia a racist nation mean" becuase all the information is out there to find, or just believe what the 75% murdoch press tells you because we all know how honest and ethical he is right?
It is clear what Gerry is writing.
It is clear what Gerry is writing. Those that don't understand the racisms Gerry is describing are in other layers of racism that are not necessarily the worst forms of racism but allow for the racisms Gerry describes to happen. I think Gerry wrote one of the most brilliant articles I have ever read without hitting us on the head with a hammer. He just spoke the truth. Ivan
Australians are stand over men and bullies
I came to Australia as a young boy from Ireland and copped Irish jokes from everybody the way I dealt with the problem was to punch the shit out of any one that tried to mock me. All the way through primary school and secondary school I punched heads what I found is that Australians are stand over men and bullies and Knocking them out was the way to deal with it, in the end people wanted to be my mate because I was the toughest in the school.My advice to people who cop racist remarks is toughen the fuck up.Even today you hear Irish jokes like on the radio from people like Derryn Hynch saying things like "that sounds a bit Irish" is some body makes a silly remark then he says he does not like racist,Go work that one out.I think because I am a white male people do not think it is racism.So if you are every out in public and tell a Irish joke and someone knocks your teeth out with a punch you may have met me Big Pat.So stop your sooking and tuffen the fuck up wimps
Australia, UK, Canada among the worst down-players of racism
Why is the United States about the only nation which actually will not only admit to a racist undercurrent, but screams about it in the spotlight--mostly because it's a billion dollar a year industry: movies, documentaries, music, books. Yet the rest of the world keeps hiding from the truth. When I travel the world, there is so much more blatant racism than anything I've ever seen in the United States. No wonder the world thinks the United States is the most racist nation--It's the only nation that talks honestly about it-----in fact, it actually exaggerates its racism, while the rest of the world downplays theres. Australia, UK, Canada are some of the worst.
Re: Australia, UK, Canada among the worst down-players of racism
Spot on, the simple ones keep repeating the one nation type of reasoning, it happens in all countrys, I commend thier willingness to show the shallow type of arguments that wrecks this country, how do people survive with that level of comprehension is beyond me, that layer of racism seems to stay a very long time, maybe the softly softly approach is part reason why it doesnt change, shame all the ignorant ones would do more, wont work with murdoch pushing his idealology like the media dictator that he is in Australia
Australia has the highest foreign born population
What a loaded piece of rubbish. Do you know who leads the world in refugee resettlement per capita? Australia. Do you know which developed country has the highest foreign born population? Australia. Definitely not Greece, Gerry Georgatos. Australia has welcomed people of all backgrounds for more than 40 years now, and we get blamed for 'racist attacks' on minorities committed frequently by people of their own ethnicity or other minority ethnicities. I have grown sick of these games. Do you know why the NT intervention came about? Because the government was told for ages that we were neglecting these aborigine communities and we were racist because of it, so the government decided to act. And now they are being blamed for being racist about acting. Someone brought up indigenous life expectancies, and I think you will find they were so low due to the mathematical formulations used for estimation for most of the last 10 years no longer supported by the ABS, because they aren't believed to be accurate. Now, the official estimates are not too far off New Zealand, Canadian and US indigenous people. In some states in the US (eg. South Dakota), native people live much shorter lives than in Australia's worst state, the NT (58 years).
Re: Australia has the highest foreign born population
Do you know 70% of the nation are white brittish imigrants anglo saxons, cluching at straws like a racist would do
Enough of the rubbish Gerry IS CORRECT.
What hogwash from some of you. One of you argues because of Irish jokes that you are not considered. Well buddy this is racism like Gerry describes in his layers. But bloody oath do you think that type of racism compares to what Indigenous men and women have been through and go through? Get a grip on yourselves, don't compare apples with oranges. Racism comes in many forms but what some of you are describing is not what Indigenous men and women go through.
To the joker who reckons that Australia resettles more refugees than other countries what codswallop, that is just that codswallop. Australia is one of the least resettlers.
So what if Australia has a high number of foreign born citizens. That doesn't mean it is not racist. It is buddy. Australia brought lots white europeans to fill jobs and industry and stuff like the snowy river project, they didn't do it out of some love for humanity buddy. They bring labour and trained people over to fill quota and to keep the two speed economy going. We bring few unskilled and untrained these days and that's not good.
And don't have a go at Gerry because of his Greek heritage, that stinks. Gerry is an Aussie, and an Aussie hero if you google him for the things he does. Greece is poor country but has a bigger refugee problem than Australia a bloody rich country. Get your facts straight mate and read some of Gerry's other articles on this site and elsewhere and this man sets the record straight.
Some of you need to find lives and stop the racist defences and all this white person crap, you embarrass us all.
Carter
Irish had the guts and brains to fight for their country back
Carter you dick head the Irish had their country taken off them but had the guts and the brains to fight for it back.The Irish had all land rights taken from them for centuries had the right to vote removed for centuries. Have you ever heard of the potato famine?The Irish were persecuted for 800 years taken to foreign countries as slaves.More Irish have been killed through racism than Aboriginals check out history fool.The Irish were murdered for speaking their native language they were murdered for practicing their religion.Heres a challenge for you Carter name one thing that happened to Indigenous people that didn't happen to the Irish people ten fold?But that doesn't count because the Irish are white right?Carter get your facts straight you uneducated moron
Re: Irish had the guts and brains to fight for their country ...
Its going to happen here to, Australia was settled illegally, no such thing as terra nullius, to treaty and never declared war, Aboriginal will be the authority of this country by default, this ignorance will result in your children having less, very selfish people, I suggest this irish guy learns about the country he lives in, not educated enough to see the reality and to gullible to question propaganda, no wonder your here, they are to smart for you ireland, you fit in nice here
Re: Irish had the guts and brains to fight for their country ...
The Irish guy knows that the Irish built this country while the Aboriginals were crying about themselves instead of fighting for their rights.
Re: Irish had the guts and brains to fight for their country ...
you as an irish person have nothing to sook about, but it doesnt stop you does it, you make the irish look like a bunch of sooks
Australians embraced multiculturalism until it turned venomous
Carter, you need to get your facts straight. Resettlement is not the same as the number of refugees a country hosts. Resettlement is not an obligation on any country, yet it is the best a country can do and mainly only 3 countries in the world have these voluntary resettlement programmes: Australia, Canada and the United States. 92% (2009) of all resettlement occurs through these 3 countries, with Australia increases it's take 1,000 per year for 4 years with the deal with Malaysia. The only obligation on countries is to give refugees temporary sanctuary. Australia, Canada and the United States go a step further than most (including the UK) but we never get any credit for it when the world likes to demonize us. In 2009, Australia had a per capita resettlement intake of 0.520 per 1,000, followed by Canada 0.371 per 1,000 and the US at 0.254. The UK was way back at 0.016 per 1,000.
When you take into account recognized and resettled, Australia ranks 5th amongst developed nations at 0.68 per 1,000 (at least amongst the top 50 countries by aggregate intakes). The countries which rank higher: Norway (1.32 per 1,000), Sweden (1.22 per 1,000), Switzerland (0.88 per 1,000) and Canada (0.70 per 1,000). While the US is back on 0.32 per 1,000 and the UK at 0.22 per 1,000. Where is world condemnation prior to the tsunami in Japan (a rich country) for their refugee resettlement and recognition rates? 0.00 per 1,000 resettled and recognized in 2009. Maybe Australia isn't doing it's duty with regards to refugee hosting, but we certainly aren't the villains of the world; there is good and bad.
As for Greece's refugee problem, the file I have here lists the top 50 hosts by intake. Australia is ranked #47 by aggregate of all countries (developed and undeveloped), Greece doesn't make the list so their hosting is less than 19,116. Given they have half our population, I'd say their refugee hosting rate per capita is similar to Australia just without a resettlement program. As for what Navi Pillay says, her opinion is absolutely worthless to me.
Am I having a go at him because he's of Greek heritage? Seems to me he is the one having a go at me because I am multigenerational Australian. New Australians aren't changing this country, sorry to deflate that ego of theirs. Australia voluntarily went this way and for many years I (and I'm sure other) multigenerational Australians warmly embraced the concept of multiculturalism until it was turned as venomous spew against us to get the exact outcomes they want. I welcomed Australians of all backgrounds and still do.
The Aborigines welcomed your ancestors, so welcome newcomers
The Aborigines welcomed your ancestors and so should you welcome the "new australians". I am proud to be Italo Australian and was born here and owe nothing to anyone neither do my parents who knew nothing other than work or die on the streets - no welfare, no pub, no tab etc. There is an appreciation for this country and the freedom to improve your life.
Wogs built this country up and they never get recognised for it because people like you with your tall poppy syndrome. The new immigrants get ten fold the opportunities that the Wogs ever got given them and they still complain and cry racist.
Gerry states the obvious and the facts remain that Aboriginal people continue to be treated like second class citizens and this is a national disgrace.
Mal Brough was the only politician that cared enough to do anything about it and look what they did to him.
The government needs to reform its policies not the populace.
Do they want Aborigines to die off faster so that they have easier way for their overseas business buddies and their shareholders to buy up all our natural resources and ruin the environment to then kill us all with nuclear war and chernobyl like disasters - harsh well just open your eyes.
Gerry is not alone. Read Linda Briskman, Navi Pillay and others.
http://theconversation.edu.au/australias-wake-up-call-from-the-un-yes-we...
No violation of any international law to reject applications
"...one of 24 Detention Centres, which have cost six lives in eight months and in which thousands have been traumatised, have committed self-harm, and many who have descended into mental and physical despair,"
Most, if not all of those people took their lives because they were rejected applicants, not mandatory detention. It is not a violation of any international law to reject applications, the UNHCR does it and so does ever other country around the world http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8554849.stm.
And detention is traumatizing? It must be all that "international-grade health care, food, clothing and schooling for their children", as well as access to computers and recreational activity for their short stay if they are proven genuine, long stay if they wish to continually launch appeal after appeal, and then use the duration of their stay as a weapon against us. Maybe burn down a few facilities and riot, that seems to earn them adoration amongst the protest groups.
,
Three million Aborigines at invasion, less than 600,000 now
Jesus Christ the racism I have read here proves Gerry's arguments. It is disgusting what I am reading. To Irish fellas what happened in Ireland by the British is not relevant to what happened here to Irish in regard to their treatment or jokes by Australians. Next fact is that you Irish fellas need to get your facts straight, more Irish did not die than Aboriginal people. We were something like 3 million people when Arthur Phillips launched his attack on our country and today we are less than 600,000 people. This was murder nonstop and genocide. Most of the Irish population was not wiped but we have only 1/6th of our original population numbers remaining and some of these numbers are made up by many people who only have a trace our Aboriginal blood left, and from our original population we have probably 1/20th remaining. Racism, murder, genocide and it continues.
To Gerry you are a champion of truth. To some of you others you think only about yourselves. I suppose you will start swearing and abusing me too?
Call the Irish for backup, we know how to fix up arse holes
The Aboriginal people don't have a monopoly on racism or persecution.The Irish were taken to Australia (and America) away from their families treated as slaves locked up in places like Port Arthur (No picnic there).The Irish have been going through this since the 12th century a lot more than 3million Irish have been killed over this time.Today we still have racism towards the Irish but this is not relevant because we are white!
To the Aboriginal people have you ever thought of fighting back?Grow some nuts and kill the people who are killing you if you need back up let the Irish know we know a thing or two about fixing up arse holes its the only language these people speak, you will loose sympathy but gain respect. Do something for yourselves and complaining don't count grow some balls,
You're cheapening the word, pal
Someones opinion that differs to yours = RACIST!!!!! You're cheapening the word, pal.
English tricks to fuck Aboriginals, learnt fucking the Irish
Arabena man I will not abuse you but I do swear only in frustration The Irish population has dropped lower than 600000 during our history, do what we Irish Catholics do use no contraception and fuck like rabbits.
Remember all the tricks the English used on the Aboriginals to fuck them over were learnt when fucking over the Irish.
Oh and dont use our Lords Name in Vain that will only get you a smack in the mouth you respect my culture and I will respect yours Deal?
English tricks to fuck over the Aboriginals, learnt when fucking over the Irish
Re: English tricks to fuck Aboriginals, learnt fucking the Irish
Australia was the last in a long line of countrys, they used way more tricks then that of the irish, later in history translates into advancement in tactics, they used what they learnt and MORE against Aboriginal Australians
They fought back, mostly disease brought down their numbers
You are very wrong about the aboriginals not fighting back. You forget that the British had gun and cannons whilst the aboriginals were using spears and waddies. I have recently learnt about the Tasmanian aboriginals and they killed many of the British during the 'Black War'. The British may have had better technologies but they knew the land. They used guerrilla-like attacks and many of them had a fighting chance if they had not been succumbed by disease. It was the disease that brought down their numbers the most.
HOW DARE YOU - WE ALWAYS FOUGHT AND WE WERE KILLED.
Where do you get off telling us to fight back? The intensithy of what English and Europeans did to us was huge and not over a thousand years like you write about the English and the Irish. We we were people of peace, all of us but when the stole our lands, when they invaded us we fought back everywhere and we had nothing but spears and our courage. We weren't like sick Europeans who spent centuries building armour and weapons and armies while we lived for a hundred thousand years peacefully in harmony with the land, seas, mother earth.
When guns and canons came at us we fought back and we were massacred in many battles, women and children too, how many pictures of us do you have to see of us chained from the neck in prisons where most of us died?
Because we would not sit still we were dragged off to reserves and missions and if we moved from them we were hunted down and imprisoned in neck chains, shot and killed.
I understand that some Irish came to our country in chains and to America by the English and I have Irish in me from an Irish convict who after five years got his freedom and some land (taken from Nunga people). Like all people some good and some bad and I tell you that some of the Irish who came here as convicts or as settlers, not all were dragged here, did us great harm and were some of those who shot at us, and got us off our lands when they wanted more of our country.
We coralled on reserves like we were animals and watched over by everyone. We fought, we resisted and we were punished with whippings, hangings, shootings, death.
Were the Irish, all of them, like all of us driven out of their homes, lands, villages, towns and herded like animals, were their children taken by the English to be brought up by others, were they banned from marrying English women and men. You may have it bad but not like us. You want us to fight more, why? so that we will finally be wiped out all together?
I know what my Irish heritage went through and I respect my Irish ancestors but my Aboriginal forefathers went through much more and many still do, have a look around you.
Grow some Balls
Angry Man the Irish started off with pitch forks and shovels a pack of potato farmers kicked the elite British military's asses.Mate it's pretty simple steal their guns thats what the Irish and the American Indian did.The Aboriginals have had access to guns for at least 60 years stand up and fight have some guts stop your crying.Work out who is killing you today and fight the bastards or lie down and cop it sweet your chose.Its a big bad world out there and being peaceful will only get you killed.
Tell me this Angry Man who is your enemy and what the fuck are you going to to about it? Here's a clue crying on the internet wont fix you problem you have to fight your enemies and if Aboriginal people are being killed fucking fight back stop being a pack of soft cocks you have guns now no excuses grow some balls.
If Aboriginals are being killed in jails for no reason can't you Blow the fucking thing up or burn it down have you got no brains or guts?.Be fucked if I would stand back and watch that happen to my people.No one is going to help you, you have to help your self what else can I say but toughen the fuck up and say enough is enough. I'm sure the Majority of Australia will back you and you may get some respect.It's got me fucked why you let people walk all over you fucking fight stop your crying.
Whipping, branding, beating to death an Irish slave was no crime
Angry man here is the answer to your questions From 1641 to 1652 over 500000 Irish were killed by the English and another 300000 were sold as slaves Irelands population fell from 1,500000 to 600000 in one decade.
During the 1650's over 100000 Irish children between the age of 10 and 14 were taken from their parents and sold as slaves in the west Indies, Virginia and New England.In this decade 52000 Irish(mostly women and children) were sold to Barbados and Virginia.Another 30000 Irish men and women were also transported and sold to the highest bidder.In 1656 Cromwell orderd that 2000 Irish children be taken to Jamaica and sold as slaves to English settlers. Have you ever wondered why Jamaicans have an accent that sounds a bit Irish now you know.
African Slaves were very expensive during the 1600's 50 sterling.Irish slaves came cheap no more than 5 sterling.If a planter whipped or branded or beat to death an Irish slave,it was never a crime.A death was a monetary set back but far cheaper than killing a more expensive African.
During this time Irish could not marry English because they were slaves and those who were not slaves could not marry English because Catholics could not marry other religions like church of England it was against English law.
So as you see the Irish were not only herded out of their Villages and towns but also their country like Animals and also sold and traded like Animals.
The Aboriginals have had it bad but nowhere as bad as the Irish have copped it through out history.So take a leaf out of the Irish book stop crying and dwelling on the past move forward and fucking fight for your rights as human beings.Can you see why it is just as bad to call an Irish man stupid or Paddy as it is to call a black man Coon or nigger but people forget this because we are white or because they are ignorant and dont know their history
Re: Whipping, branding, beating to death an Irish slave was ...
Stop crying and dwelling, your still going on about it, practice what you preach, you sound like a hypocrite
more Irish in the slave trade than Africans
Did some research into this debate on Aboriginals and the Irish and much to my surprise there were more Irish in the slave trade than Africans.
It looks like the Irish were treated worse than Aboriginals their children were not turned into slaves like the Irish.
Its good to see the Irish did not let it get them down and got on with life.
Re: more Irish in the slave trade than Africans
because Aboriginals would rather die then be a slave, dont deminish Aborignals because your people gave in, toughen up, I thought the irish were tough? seems they gave up
Most of us Black-fellas desire, and do, get on with life
>>Its good to see the Irish did not let it get them down and got on with life.www.whitc.info "they won't let go".
They want to keep us “Locked, Bolted and Cemented”
In and To, “The Past”. They would have us sitting around campfires eating possums and talking about the "Dreamtime" while the rest of the world, including the refugees, "March On".
There are unlimited examples of the “AVI” and their “Misguided” and “Out of Touch Agendas” and “Grand Plans”, on “Indymedia Australia”.
they are desperate people these aussies
another poser coconut, they are going to extremes now acting like someone else, they are desperate people these aussies, we know your white
To say Australia is the villain is ignorant and stupid
Here's what each country does for refugees (the nation by nation breakdown is from the UNHCR from 2010). To say Australia is the villain in the world is ignorant and stupid. Navi Pillay can go to hell!
n/a = not available in data due to the data only listing the top 50 by aggregates
AUSTRALIA
Afghanistan 1,262
China 1,180
Sri Lanka 585
Fiji 545
Iran 459
Pakistan 433
India 408
Iraq 379
Egypt 328
Zimbabwe 294
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: 1.06
per 1,000 population asylum applications: 0.29
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.16
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.520
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.68
CANADA
Hungary 2,321
China 1,582
Columbia 1,354
Sri Lanka 1,203
Mexico 1,198
Haiti 1,061
Nigeria 860
United States 767
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 689
India 593
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: 5.05
per 1,000 population asylum applications: 1.01
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.33
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.371
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.70
UNITED STATES
China 11,732
El Salvador 2,439
Mexico 2,422
Guatemala 1,891
Haiti 1,755
Ethiopia 1,287
Nepal 1,002
Honduras 902
Russia 873
India 809
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: 0.88
per 1,000 population asylum applications: 0.08
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.06
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.254
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.32
UNITED KINGDOM
Zimbabwe 7,420
Afghanistan 3,535
Iran 2,125
Pakistan 2,035
Sri Lanka 1,430
China 1,415
Eritrea 1,405
Somalia 1,080
Iraq 990
Nigeria 820
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: 4.38
per 1,000 population asylum applications: 0.48
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.20
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.016
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.22
NEW ZEALAND
Fiji 45
Sri Lanka 30
Iraq 26
Iran 24
India 24
Czech Republic 23
China 20
Pakistan 18
Slovakia 13
Zimbabwe 9
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: n/a
per 1,000 population asylum applications: n/a
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.03
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.170
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.20
IRELAND
Nigeria 569
Pakistan 258
China 194
Democratic Republic of Congo 101
Zimbabwe 91
Georgia 88
Moldova 86
Somalia 84
Ghana 82
Iraq 76
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: n/a
per 1,000 population asylum applications: 0.60
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.09
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.043
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.13
GERMANY
Iraq 6,538
Afghanistan 3,375
Serbia 1,981
Turkey 1,429
Iran 1,170
Vietnam 1,115
Russia 936
Syria 819
Nigeria 791
India 681
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: 7.23
per 1,000 population asylum applications: 0.34
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.12
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.025
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.14
JAPAN
Myanmar 570
Sri Lanka 233
Turkey 94
Pakistan 91
India 58
Bangladesh 51
Uganda 46
Iran 40
Nepal 29
China 18
Other data (2009)
per 1,000 population refugees: n/a
per 1,000 population asylum applications: n/a
per 1,000 population recognized as refugees: 0.00
per 1,000 population resettled: 0.00
per 1,000 population recognized & resettled: 0.00