On World Refugee Day, I'm sending thanks to the REAL MVPs.
- Former Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam for abolishing the White Australia Policy and embraced a multicultural Australia.
- Former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser for respecting international obligations and implemented a refugee policy to resettle Indo-Chinese refugees into Australia. The influx of these refugees post White Australia Policy was the first real test to multiculturalism and since then, Australia has become more diverse than ever.
- My refugee family resettled into Australia under Prime Minister Bob Hawke so thank you for continuing Fraser's legacy in responding to humanitarian crises with commitment and compassion.
- Fraser was a Liberal during his leadership; he however defected in later years and heavily criticised against the Liberal government's inhumane treatment to current asylum seekers and refugees. And damn, our government is despicable.
If it weren't for the significant work from these former leaders, I literally would not be here today, in Australia, enjoying my freedoms and human rights. These are basic and intangible but precious things that I hold dear, especially when so many people around the world are legit risking their lives to fight for their freedom and human rights.
I will continue to watch our government like a hawk and stand in solidarity with all those displaced; asylum seekers and refugees, regardless of their race and beliefs.
Also importantly, I will treat them with respect as humanitarian migrants, not economic migrants.
Lots o' Love, Linda
When we look back at refugee success stories, we tend to look towards no other than Cabramatta aka "Vietnamatta". Infamous for being the enclave of Indo-Chinese refugees. Also infamous for being a crime zone during the 90s cause refugees were forced to go into survival mode, perhaps due to government policy failure. Very pleased at how much the community here overcame adversity to build a new life for themselves and improved their public image as a refugee community.
Let's not forget that this didn't happen overnight. It took years... decades. I must mention this because I think it's incredibly unfair to expect current asylum seekers and refugees to have English communication skills, be "job ready" and to have a job offer right off the bat upon arrival to their new resettled country (and then have Australians complain about refugees "stealing" their jobs).
I also think it's unfair to expect asylum seekers and refugees to be super smart, super human, super productive and super successful to prove themselves to be "worthy" and valuable to be granted asylum.
Over recent years, I've gotten into discussion with a few first generation immigrant friends, only to find out how much they hate refugees. Refugees get blamed for everything. Little did they know that I'm a daughter of one... and damn proud of it too! No shame!
Hope everyone takes the time to understand what it means to be an asylum seeker and a refugee. No one actually chooses the circumstances to become one.
Lots o' Love, Linda
In honour of Refugee Week (#withrefugees), I want to thank this Australian gentlemen pictured in the middle. 🙂
He played a key role in helping my Vietnamese Boat People fam integrate into Australian society. I believe (but could be wrong) that he was a part of Australia's Community Refugee Settlement Scheme (CRSS) which was Australia's first community sponsorship model which ran from 1979-1997.
Community groups and everyday individuals offered to initially support the resettlement and integrate 30,000 refugees from Indo-China (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos), but later expanded to include all refugees from other parts of the world.
Australia no longer runs this program but is currently running a Community Support Program (CSP) which is much more flawed and in much need of a reform since it prioritises economic factors instead of humanitarian needs.
The government should really consider more options for community involvement and sponsorship to resettle refugees, in addition to its committment and responsibility to the refugee and humanitarian program.
Let's always remember that asylum seekers and refugees are not the same as economic migrants, so shouldn't be treated as such.
Lots o' Love, Linda
