Bullying as an instrument of government

The Australian government has been more inclined to comply with the Convention in respect to asylum seekers who arrive by air than by boat.

Boat people apparently threaten their electoral prospects, so they are treated differently and publicly vilified. They are incarcerated like common criminals, shipped around the country without explanation and denied access to basic and required services, including physical and mental health.

All of this in the name of deterrence; it amounts to an unconscionable and prolonged act of state bullying.

Despite what the government indicates in its flawed dialogue with the Australian people, they are not stupid. The government condones, indeed practices, state sponsored bullying.

Why should kids on facebook, in the playground, at parties or on the footy ground behave differently? The government should be leading by example. Instead it shows no leadership.

Its cowardly bullying of the most vulnerable is setting a standard for the young and not so young which, undermines values once cherished and which are important in the maintenance of social cohesion.