Day to Day Politics: Let us not forget their disgusting deeds
Thursday 23 November 2017
Recently one of my friends accused me of writing negatively about people of the right. In return I said that it is a fascination to me as to why the right attracts so many bitter people. People who hate better than most or are bigoted and negative disentists who oppose everything. Anyway, I told him that we need to remind people of just who they are … weed them out so to speak.
It is the fear of difference that turns most normal men into racists. Two such men are Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison. It is no easy thing to call a fellow human being a racist. I do so with a sense of uneasiness. But it must be done.
If the definition of racism is the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races and it manifests itself in discriminatory or abusive behaviour towards members of another race, then surely these two men are racists.
As I said, most people either inherit their racism or because they fear difference find it in their own weakness. They are to be pitied for their lack of enquiry.
But those who use it for political gain should be loathed. The practice of conservative politics in this country, in recent times, to do just that, comes both naturally and is inherently calculated.
Do you recall when Morrison told the Liberal Party Room that they weren’t getting enough mileage out of the despair of asylum seekers, or when he wanted to deny families attendance at the funerals of people drowned at sea because the taxpayer would bear the cost?
When you reject a proposal like the Malaysia Solution that may have benefitted people, purely for political gain, that’s racism. When you are responsible for incarcerating people because of their ethnicity indefinitely, simply to deter others from seeking asylum, it’s not only cruel but xenophobic.
When in December 2014 the surly and often angry Morrison was seeking unprecedented powers by using children to blackmail a bill through parliament, in effect saying, ”I will release the children only if you do what I demand,” he was using children of Middle Eastern background to do so.
In his maiden speech to Parliament Scott Morrison said that:
“From my faith I derive the values of loving-kindness, justice and righteousness, to act with compassion and kindness, acknowledging our common humanity and to consider the welfare of others.”
“We expect Christians … to be those who stand up for the truth, to stand up for justice, to stand on the side of the poor and the hungry, the homeless and the naked, and when that happens, then Christians will be trustworthy believable witnesses.”
“My vision for Australia is for a nation that is strong, prosperous and generous… generous in spirit, to share our good fortune with others, both at home and overseas, out of compassion and a desire for justice.”
His actions when Immigration Minister were anything but compassionate. They were full of prejudice, bigotry, xenophobic bias, racism and discrimination.
When Peter Dutton criticised Malcolm Fraser’s migration intake of the 1970s it was yet another example of his racist remarks. Last Thursday’s interview with Andrew Bolt covered many aspects of migration. Bolt blamed Victoria’s alleged outbreak of crime on “Young men of African descent, particularly from Sudan which partly is true”. At the same time Victoria was experiencing riots by white youths at a detention centre. They failed to mention that. The consistent over concentration on black or middle Easton folk of Islamic belief is a sure indication of racism. Only 20,000 people have settled in Australia from Sudan.
In question time Bill Shorten asked him to be more specific about which groups he was talking about said, ”The advice I have is that out of the last 33 people who have been charged with terror related offences in this country, 22 of those people are from second-and third generation Lebanese-Muslim background.”
He could not bring himself to say they were in fact Australian. Dutton was the only MP who refused to attend Kevin Rudd’s apology speech to our indigenous people.
John Menadue was asked on the ABC’s AM program whether Australia was, in fact, now paying for Malcolm Fraser’s mistakes:
“No, we’re not. I think Malcolm Fraser was probably, I think, together with Ben Chiffley – at least in the post-war period – the most successful prime minister in managing refugees and migration into Australia … I think that the contribution that Malcolm Fraser made has strengthened this country. It broke the back of ‘White Australia’.
We brought 250,000 Indo-Chinese to Australia: that was over a period … But every migration program, every refugee program has its problems from time to time. Malcolm Fraser was aware of that. And in the department I was with him for three years.
We took action to ensure that the integrity of the migration and refugee programs were ensured … And that means coming down like a ton of hot bricks where criminals occur, malpractice occurs. And he was very conscious of that and I was … But that’s not to say there weren’t problems: but they were addressed in a fairly rigorous sort of way.”
When Malcolm Turnbull came to power and was looking for a replacement for the dour refugee basher Morrison he had a ready replacement in the former copper Peter Dutton. A man of similar or worse disposition. He settled in the job showing that he could be more racist than his predecessor.
Peter Dutton has a history of it. In an interview with Sky News on May 17, Dutton said:
”They won’t be numerate or literate in their own language, let alone English. These people would be taking Australian jobs, there’s no question about that.”
Edmund Rice Centre director and Refugee Council president Phil Glendenning described the comments as a blatant attempt to appeal to the lowest common denominator of society – prejudice and bigotry.
“Not only are these comments inaccurate, they are deeply offensive to the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have come to our country over many generations,” Mr Glendenning said.
“Peter Dutton’s comments are simply contradictory – if refugees are illiterate, innumerate and ‘lurking about on unemployment queues’ how will they ‘take Australian jobs’?”
“As the saying goes, never let facts and logic get in the way of a scare campaign.”
“The fact is Australia can and should take more refugees – in 1949 alone we resettled 90,000 refugees.”
“Refugees and their children have gone on to become successful business people, doctors, academics, actors and sports players.” All research indicates that refugees provide an economic benefit to the nation.”
Dutton never puts forward evidence to support his claims. He is content to smear the Fraser government. It is truly remarkable just what this government finds to blame others for. Even their own. He also leaves open and plays on the perception that Fraser was wrong to accept Vietnamese refugees.
On the same day Dutton made his racist remarks the UN’s special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, ended an 18-day investigative visit to Australia. He said:
”Politicians who have engaged in this negative discourse seem to have given permission to people on the street to act in xenophobic ways and to allow for the rise of nationalist populist groups.”
John Hewson the former leader of the Liberal Party said that Dutton’s attempts to link Malcolm Fraser’s 1970s immigration policies to criminal gang activity and Islamic radicalisation in Australia today.
“Cheap political arse-covering”.
“But, why make this point continually” Is this a cheap attempt to appeal to the anti-immigration, anti-refugee movement?”
And so it has been since the time Philip Ruddock demonised asylum seekers by calling them illegals. People have been vilified to further a political aim. Pandering to the ultra-right Hanson’s of society who think they run immigration policy.
There are hundreds if not thousands of stories about immigrants from all over the world who have succeeded in Australia and made wonderful contributions to our society. I have no doubt that people like Morrison, Dutton, Bolt, Bernardi, Hanson and Abbott who continually criticise them do so for racist political reasons.
My thought for the day
“When you see a bumper sticker with the words ‘F**ck Off, We’re Full’. You will know that you have been exposed to the underbelly of Australian politics. Thanks Tony, thanks Scott and thanks Peter.”
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Return to home pageThankyou for this reminder of the slow drip of poisonous venom into the public mind by politicians.
A normalisation of racist attitudes seems to have reached a level where even vicious and contradictory statements can drip into public discourse without shocking many.
Surely this reached a nadir when a Minister used children as a bargaining tool to get a omnibus bill of cruel legislation through the Senate. Distressed Senators were told that children would only be freed from horrible detention camps if the Senators passed the bill.
How was it possible that there was no outcry? Normalisation of racist cruelty.
Dutton as “Homeland Security” Minister presents a significant threat to us all. Australians are sleepwalking into a form of politics which is likely to destroy what we have formerly upheld as our values.
Turnbull is giving these barbarians free reign.
Bleak view?
When Australians feel the hate of these politicians maybe they will understand what has been done to “others” in our name.
Twelve respected past Australians of the Year have called upon Turnbull and Shorten to take action on the unfolding disasters Manus Island.
Here’s hoping !
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER & OPPOSITION LEADER
FROM FORMER AUSTRALIANS OF THE YEAR
Dear Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten,
We, as former Australians of the Year, representing the hearts and minds of the nation, are deeply
concerned about the health and human disaster that is unfolding on Manus Island.
In the coming days, it is inevitable that people will become sick and even die through the lack of
basic sanitation, food, water, and medical care.
Australians from all walks of life, from all sides of the political spectrum, are hoping that your
government will now move to prevent these consequences of neglect. We believe that it is time to
stop the unacceptable and internationally criticised treatment of the refugees on Manus Island, who,
though innocent of any crime, have been incarcerated and now abandoned there.
This treatment does not represent who we are as Australians, or indeed as human beings.
We should not withhold water from people, nor withhold food; we should not leave seriously ill
people to die without medication and treatment.
We are also concerned about Australia’s international reputation in human rights. It seems that both
our major political parties have failed to meet their most basic obligations under the United Nations
Refugee Convention, one that our country helped to negotiate and which we signed in 1951.
The irony of Australia’s recent appointment to the UN Council for Human Rights is palpable. Do we
now condemn our own actions?
We plead with you to immediately restore all essential services to the men on Manus Island. Please
allow the Australian Medical Association to provide medical and preventive care, as they have
recently offered, as soon as possible. At the same time please find safe haven for the acknowledged
genuine refugees without any further delay.
We cannot see any good for Australia to pursue this policy in connection with Manus Island. We
believe that the Australian Government is the one that needs to act in this matter and not the
government of Papua New Guinea.
Yours sincerely
Australians of the Year
2015 Rosie Batty
2013 Ita Buttrose
2011 Simon McKeon
2010 Patrick McGorry
2009 Mick Dodson
2007 Tim Flannery
2005 Fiona Wood
2003 Fiona Stanley
2000 Gustav Nossal
1997 Peter Doherty
1996 John Yu
1983 Robert de Castella
”They won’t be numerate or literate in their own language, let alone English. These people would be taking Australian jobs, there’s no question about that”.
They are quite something those asylum seekers seekers, aren’t they;
They don’t know the English language, they can’t read or write: yet they are taking the jobs that our University educated young people can’t get. WOW!
It’s also been said that they take our women, and even our houses, Dear me, poor dears…why don’t their Aussie husbands rush to defend them….
I wouldn’t say effoff however, we are full. In fact, we are overfull and this should be apparent to all but, for some unknown reason, isn’t. As our population increases, stresses on resources will continue to worsen and make our lives even more difficult. We have to deal with this.
I think that it is way past time to properly address the causes of forced migration. Tyrants, oppressors, warmongers, resource depletion, population and economic growth, greed, corruption and climate disruption etcetera. We can start by not voting for the major parties and denouncing growth.
Climate disruption and resource depletion will not only create refugees but, also tyrants and oppressors. As described in this article, our own government is heading in this direction.
Myanmar and Syria are examples of not addressing root causes and I am sure that the Yemeni would also leave in boats, if they could.
The refugee problem isn’t going away and in fact, will worsen.
“Then things changed. In the winter of 2006–2007, the water table began sinking like never before.”
“From that winter through 2010, Syria suffered its most devastating drought on record.”
“Syria’s water crisis is largely of its own making. Back in the 1970s, the military regime led by President Hafez al-Assad launched an ill-conceived drive for agricultural self-sufficiency. No one seemed to consider whether Syria had sufficient groundwater and rainfall to raise those crops.”
“The start of the revolution was water and land”
“All I needed was water,” he says. “And I didn’t have water. So things got very bad.””
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ominous-story-of-syria-climate-refugees/
“These people would be taking Australian jobs, there’s no question about that”.
I thought their argument was that they are coming here just for the unemployment benefits.
So which is it – our jobs or our dole money?
I know they like to generalise and demonise but at least they should try be consistent in their derision.
I am SO tired of saying this. “Bring them all here.” We have so much room for them.
dutton is a known rascist. he opposes any advancement of aboriginal rights in aust.
did somebody mention ‘australian jobs’? what jobs? what jobs are there worth taking or to take? please enlighten me.
7Harquebus. how much of the diminishing aquifers are caused by israel’s excessive water use?
ABC is reporting a “police action” is underway at the Manus detention centre this morning. Dutton says moving the asylum seekers is now PNGs problem. That pig is not only racist, but totally inhumane – not that far behind Mladic.
Gosh, I wonder if it has anything to do the fact that he’s recontesting the seat he had to vacate? That and Trembles going into his usual serene panic over the potential loss of another LNP held seat.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/23/john-alexanders-joke-about-rape-utterly-unacceptable-turnbull
Lnps FA White paper is just been released nothing to do with timing eh two elections happening ABC run old time vids when glorious Juilee Bishitp Foundation, and PM Mal treatment where overseas years ago very tricky MAL.
Labor Policies,..Domestic violence: A new focus on tackling family violence: a national crisis summit within our first 100 days, ending the ‘postcode lottery’ of unequal services and put the focus on perpetrator accountability, because every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in our community.
University reform: The next step in university reform, building the bridge between enrolment and completion, a system converting uni places into degrees, into good jobs.
Indigenous progress: Greater urgency on constitutional recognition for the first Australians and closing the justice gap – bringing together Indigenous leaders to build a consensus for progress.
Fairer tax system: Making multinationals pay their fair share of tax in Australia. Sustainable retirement incomes: Boosting the fairness and sustainability of retirement incomes.
IMHO,
Right-wing governments may sap some people’s will to live and result in more suicides, conclude studies in Britain and Australia.
The researchers speculate that losers are more likely to kill themselves in the individualistic, “winner-takes-all” societies favoured by right wing governments, because they are left to fend for themselves. Wide disparities in wealth also sharpen any sense of hopelessness, the researchers argue.
Of course the NBN should release speed figures. Aren’t they supposed to be “backbone” of the whole bloody current debacle created Mr. Technology? Could it be that they’re not game enough to release the fact that what was promised is a wonderful piece of fantasy from the LNP?
http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/were-not-the-police-nbn-chief-bill-morrow-reluctant-to-share-data-about-speeds-20171123-gzr7lb.html
Their corporate masters must be leaning on them big time if the Corminator is coming up such bullshit. We are thinking about a tiny tax cut for the commoners but big end of town tax cuts are urgent, urgent. Why, it could even be a national emergency.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/23/mathias-cormann-says-tax-cut-for-big-business-becoming-more-urgent
If they can’t read and write, yet are going to take our jobs, it doesn’t say much for our education system.
Dutton is a vicious, petty thug who has been promoted way beyond his capacities.
On a side note: The boundless greed of the already filthy rich never ceases to amaze me. I wouldn’t trust that crew with 10 cents let alone any super. Keating? The less said the better!
http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/billionaires-and-bankers-hatch-a-superannuation-plot-20171123-gzrmp0.html
I can’t wait to see what Trembles and the rest of LNP offal say about this.
Sounds to me like Bishop, and maybe Morrison, are setting themselves up to make a run at Malcolm and this is a good way to find potential allies and enemies. The other thing that it reminds of is pre-election waffle.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-derailed-by-cabinet-leaks-and-nationals-rebellion-over-banks-20171123-gzrgsb.html