Childhood must be spared this huge responsibility

May 30th, 2005

Ian Whang, former student, man-of-the-house, interpreter, 12 years old.

That our Immigration Department does not offer an interpreter to all their clients is a matter of great concern, in fact it borders on a breach of duty-of-care.

DIMIA must adopt an opt-out-service culture.
Not this opt-in-service culture that we are witnessing that leaves 12 year old children with the responsibility to interpret for their parent documents that their tender years cannot comprehend.

I was the same age as Ian when I would help my grandmother with her shopping. I not only provided muscle…I also provided interpretation. I found that the delicatessen staff would bypass me and try and get her to agree to ham instead of bacon. They would look for any signs of agreement, after all they were running a business and time is money.
My English was not very sophisticated, it all took time and I had a child’s worldview.
Pressure for profit…
I wonder how much pressure was put on the Whangs to get this DIMIA agenda driven document done?

"The Department of Immigration issued a statement denying it had deceived Ian Whang’s mother. And they said at no time had she asked for an interpreter."

I believe that DIMIA does behave in this opt-in way as an overriding organisational culture and I call it abusive and I am beyond ashamed.


Image from here

I love my job it’s the work I hate…

May 29th, 2005

Tony Abbott thinks that some jobs are really tough and if you just do your best, try your hardest, however poor that might be, then it’s ok.

This is Tony justifying Amanda (and let’s not forget Phil) breathing in and out somewhere near their office…

"What people need to remember is we’re talking here about very difficult situations. We’re talking about, in some cases, people who are in very difficult personal circumstances. It’s not always easy to know exactly what is going on in their lives, it’s not always easy to know exactly what’s happening in their home countries or even which are their home countries. These are difficult personal situations and the idea that you can resolve these questions in a moment is just wrong."

It’s been many moments strung together Tony, they go on to make weeks, months and years.


Image from here

David quiets a Goliath

May 22nd, 2005

Today on the Insiders David Marr, Virginia Trioli and Piers Akerman were Barry’s studio guests.
One of the Goliaths of bullying Piers Akerman was visibly uncomfortable.

David’s presence on the couch-of-the-left raised fear in Piers, who at times was unable to comment from under his jauntily tied sweater to defend himself or his right-wing spew.

Piers managed a pathetic bitchslap under the rolling credits at the end of the show…thank you David Marr!

Now if we can only get David to quiet Insider Goliath #2 – Andrew Bolt.

Laurie Ferguson finds his voice and humanity cringes

May 22nd, 2005

The Federal Opposition’s spokesman on Immigration, Laurie Ferguson, says the proposed release of long-term detainee Peter Qasim could set a worrying precedent. Mr. Qasim is among 50 people invited to apply for a bridging visa by Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone.
But Labor’s immigration spokesman, Laurie Ferguson, says he is not convinced the case sets the right example.

"I would think that up to recently there are issues as to his cooperation. I think it would be a very worrying precedent for people in Australia where we might establish a system where people aren’t cooperative, they don’t really clarify who they are, where they come from, what their political and religious or political and ethnic backgrounds are."

Not long after Laurie spoke out, Kim Beasley weighed in with this-
"I think you’ll find Laurie has revised his position"

In the uncooperative stakes, having to choose between Peter Qasim and Laurie Ferguson, Laurie wins!

When fascists eat their young

May 18th, 2005

I had a rare politically inspired giggle today when I read how intolerant Alex Hawke the national president of the Young Liberals is.
Mr. Hawke had this to say about being a Liberal,

"The party should adopt tougher stands on social issues such as drugs and abortion so people know what we stand for. Nobody joins the Liberal Party to be left-wing. If you stand for compulsory student unionism, drug-injecting rooms and lowering the [homosexual] age of consent, you can choose the Greens, Labor or the Democrats."

Earlier, we prepared this elected, successful dish of Liberal MP.
MP Robyn Parker, who is part of the moderate Liberal faction and a former president of the Liberal Women’s Council, said recent discussions on abortion had been highly offensive to women and had taken place for the wrong reasons. Ms. Parker stated that,

"Any debate on abortion should be about supporting women and their choices, and it should ultimately be a decision made between a woman and her doctor, not a topic used to obtain political advantage on a ballot or anywhere else."

Tension has been simmering since the conservatives gained control of the Young Liberals.

Mr Hawke later denied that his criticism extended to the state leader, John Brogden, a moderate who has previously supported injecting-room trials and lowering the homosexual age of consent.

Typical fascist…
Kiss up
Kick down