Manus island detention centre in PNG
3 September 2012
Author/s
Jonathan Pryke
Jonathan Pryke worked at the Development Policy Centre from 2011, and left in mid-2015 to join the Lowy Institute, where he is now Director of the Pacific Islands Program. He has a Master of Public Policy/Master of Diplomacy from Crawford School of Public Policy and the College of Diplomacy, ANU.
Shame on Australia, and most especially shame on the politicians who knowingly use the most defenseless people in the world to pander to the lowest instincts of the Australian population.
They step on the heads of drowning children to raise themselves to political power. Shameful liars.
Our international reputation has changed from the perception of us as an open hearted and generous people to contempt at our unwillingness to do our fair share. Bye, bye Crocodile Dundee.
We have been tricked and manipulated by the outright lies of those we pay to serve us. In comparison to other nations, we are, quite frankly, fat whinging bludgers.
For example:
Tanzania hosts one refugee for every 76 Tanzanian people (1:76)
Britain hosts one refugee for every 530 British people. (1:530)
Australia hosts one refugee for every 1583 Australian people. (1:1583)
Time to wake up to the realities of the world. Time to step up to the plate and take our place as a true member of the international community.