Echoes of Calwell in refugee policy

Yet each year the government seeks advice from a wide range of NGO’s in determining the make up of its humanitarian quota. The assumption on which these negotiations rest, at least from the NGO’s point of view, is the need of refugees, most of whom continue to languish in developing countries with far less capacity to absorb large numbers of entrants than a relatively wealthy country such as Australia.

Which is why Senator Andrew’s comments have made such disturbing reading. For those charged with advising the Department on humanitarian quotas it represents a grave breach of trust over what is believed to be the shared understanding of the program’s purpose.

Seen in historical context the statements prompt the spectre of a return to the days when only ‘suitable’ refugees are deemed eligible for entry to these shores. For those left in camps it represents a further retreat of responsibility by the West. For those applying for family reunion in Australia it prompts the disturbing question; Will we ever see our loved ones again?

For the remainder of us it raises the question; on what basis –on what set of values - do we wish to build our society? Is it one that seeks advantage over and separation from the weak and the voiceless of our world – or is it one that builds on compassion and the desire to pull our weight as a nation?