Asylum Seeker Debate Hits A New Low

The asylum seeker debate has reached a new low level with Shadow Immigration Minister Scott Morrison calling for a suspention of bridging visas for all asylum seekers, further suggesting that households where those seeking refuge are released into the community should be notified by authorities.

His suggestion comes after a 21-year-old Sri Lankan asylum seeker asylum seeker, charged with indecently assaulting a student at Macquarie University last week.

Apart from potentially prejudicing judicial processes following the arrest, Morrison has taken the level of public debate to a new low. In a debate that has been bereft of leadership and full of passive racism it really is saying something to claim the debate has moved beyond the bottom of the barrel.

Both sides of politics are responsible for creating an environment where political debate can so easily be steered down such a dark and slippery slope? The snide attempt to generate even more community fear around asylum seekers in a country where group paranoia in some parts of the community seems to have no end, has come to be seen by both sides of politics as politically expedient and sensible.

However Morrison and his leader, Tony Abbott have taken it to a new level as the coalition opposition tries to maneuver itself in an election year as the toughest and as a result the cruelest party regarding asylum seekers

Let’s explore some of the logical extensions of Morrison’s suggestion:

Bridging visa should be abandoned for in all cases apart from the most exceptional circumstances.

Due to the stringent conditions required to gain asylum and the time it takes to ‘process’ asylum seekers means that Australia’s detention centers and those of our neighbours are gull to the brink. The abolishment of bridging visas would undoubtedly cause greater pressure on the system and result in further over crowding in centers.

Requirement for neighbouring residents to be alerted in advance of boat arrivals being located in their community on bridging visas or community detention.

This is dog whistling with a megaphone. Indeed dog whistling has been the catch cry of the day from the government and other sections of the community who have been outraged by Morrison’s comments.

There are several ways to implement this of course. One way is to microchip asylum seekers and have those on bridging visas geo-tagged  at all times with their whereabouts published on a website for those afraid of being accosted by foreigners able to monitor their movements wherever they are.

Perhaps a cheaper way would be just to leave flags or paint markers out the front or on residences. So neighbours and people passing through the infested suburbs can easily identify potentially dangerous premises.

A more cost effective method still would be to get asylum seekers in the community to wear armbands so asylum seekers can be easily and readily identified and real Australians can take the appropriate measures to avoid and ridicule.

Of course I’m being facetious but in what is an election year nothing would surprise me.