A day in the Senate..
I was keeping an eye on Question time and some of the related discussions in today's senate sitting. A couple of things caught my eye. The Greens and Democrats are still pushing for an inquiry into the deportation of one Scott Parker - an American peace activist deported as a "adverse national security threat". He was initially given a visa, then had it revoked, was kept in a local prison cell, then forced to pay for his eviction, plus the fares and accomodation of 2 DIMIA officials who accompanied him back to the 'States. Labor has been given briefed on ASIO's security findings, and has agreed with the decision - but the point of debate wasn't the decision so much as the steadfast refusal to advise anyone, including the Scott or his Lawyer, the reasons for his deportation. Its all very suspicious, because it sets a precence for unilateral government decisions on the fates of people in Australia - and we can't know due to security issues, why the decision has so been made. I can't understand why Labor has not queried this at all - moral and democratic concerns aside, there is great political capital potential in this!
In another frustrating turn, the report on the Alvarez wrongful deportation was released, which condemns the Department of Migration for having a "catastrophic culture" of cover up. What is becoming abundantly clear is that under Ruddock, departmental officials where rewarded (either explicitly or subtly) for applying an iron fist to immigration matters. 3 people were singled out who KNEW that the deportation was wrongful, but went ahead with it anyway. What was particularly frustrating was when Ruddock was asked if he took any responsibility for it, he replied "No. None at all" - in his usual bland but abrupt manner. His utter callousness is breathtaking. Vanstone also faced questions in the senate in regards to this, but also refused to take any responsibility - rather citing that she was being proactive in trying to resolve the issue. So we have a case where Vanstone is saying that she inherited the problem (read: from Ruddock), but Ruddock point blank refuses to address any concerns. And in the mean time, there are people locked up like criminals.
I have a friend who visits (I think) Woomera regularly (forgive me if I got the wrong detention centre) - and has made friends with one of the prisoners. It was scary because apparently they deport people in the middle of the night, to "minimise disruption". She may well be the only person outside of the detention system to know if he was whisked away in the middle of the night.
Australia's apathy is becoming painful to watch. And the opposition is just not offering a real alternative.
In another frustrating turn, the report on the Alvarez wrongful deportation was released, which condemns the Department of Migration for having a "catastrophic culture" of cover up. What is becoming abundantly clear is that under Ruddock, departmental officials where rewarded (either explicitly or subtly) for applying an iron fist to immigration matters. 3 people were singled out who KNEW that the deportation was wrongful, but went ahead with it anyway. What was particularly frustrating was when Ruddock was asked if he took any responsibility for it, he replied "No. None at all" - in his usual bland but abrupt manner. His utter callousness is breathtaking. Vanstone also faced questions in the senate in regards to this, but also refused to take any responsibility - rather citing that she was being proactive in trying to resolve the issue. So we have a case where Vanstone is saying that she inherited the problem (read: from Ruddock), but Ruddock point blank refuses to address any concerns. And in the mean time, there are people locked up like criminals.
I have a friend who visits (I think) Woomera regularly (forgive me if I got the wrong detention centre) - and has made friends with one of the prisoners. It was scary because apparently they deport people in the middle of the night, to "minimise disruption". She may well be the only person outside of the detention system to know if he was whisked away in the middle of the night.
Australia's apathy is becoming painful to watch. And the opposition is just not offering a real alternative.
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