In the same period France received 210,207 refugees – almost nine times Australia's number – in one fourteenth the land mass. Germany accepted 571,685 on terrain smaller than that of France.
Even Austria which fits into Australia 91 times received more than twice Australia's intake at 47,073. Switzerland, half the size of Austria again, accepted 50,416.
None of the above nations enjoys Australia's robust combination of strong employment, high income, low debt, low taxes and low poverty rate. None has the benefit of Australia's low population density and uninterrupted economic growth since 1992.
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Within hours of receiving the Houston report, the Prime Minister announced that the Government would accept all 22 recommendations. Independent Rob Oakeshott expressed support. The Greens immediately rejected it.
The response of the Opposition is now critical. The world is watching.
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About the Author
Alan Austin is an Australian freelance journalist currently based in Nîmes in the South of France. His special interests are overseas development, Indigenous affairs and the interface between the religious communities and secular government. As a freelance writer, Alan has worked for many media outlets over the years and been published in most Australian newspapers. He worked for eight years with ABC Radio and Television’s religious broadcasts unit and seven years with World Vision. His most recent part-time appointment was with the Uniting Church magazine Crosslight.
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