Editorial Dec 2001

by Chris Henderson

This is the September-December 2001 edition of Peace and Freedom (P & F) - published in March 2002 with a few recent commentaries added on issues such as detention centres. Apologies for lateness. The next edition of P&F should return to normal coverage (January to April) and arrive in May.

At the time of the last P&F, Australia was moving towards federal election under the influence of Howard's reaction to Tampa and the 'children overboard' photos. The Liberals won the election, and detention centres were further 'validated', however the photos have been identified as people leaping from a sinking boat! The 'crisis'? One of morality, social justice and social responsibility.

The treatment of refugees and asylum seekers has indicated that the Australian government deems it acceptable for some human beings to enjoy basic human rights while others may not. In a similar vein, the government's proposed anti-terrorism laws increase the government's ability to undertake generalised surveillance during peace time and grant ASIO wider powers of policing and pre-emptive action including containment without legal representation. There have been few opportunities for public understanding or debate about this proposed legislation

Awareness is growing however. Rallies and protests around the country are increasingly challenging the Government's propaganda and informing the public about the refugee issues, Afghanistan and Bush's involvement, and Australia's proposed anti-terrorism bills. The Freedom Bus tour has exposed far-from-acceptable conditions of Australia's six refugee detention centres, and provided opportunities to share stories, raise awareness and network isolated communities across the country. And on 2 March the CHOGM protest enables the issues including asylum seekers and detention centres to be placed on the world stage. WILPF will be there.

Positioning current events in history can help to remind just how far this country is from providing a 'fair go for all', how long and deep are the issues, and how vital are all our efforts.

For example, during a talk-back discussion about the government's reaction to asylum seekers, a listener recollected that former Prime Minister Robert Menzies responded similarly to the Petrov affair when he 'stampeded the horses and kept them going by rattling the can of Communism' every so often' (Sandy McCutcheon's ABC Radio program). It seems this fine art hasn't been forgotten.

And with a curious sense of déjà vu, I offer an excerpt from a 1996 Weekend Australian article by Phillip Adams - 'The colour of tolerance' (23-24 November):

Currently, the bigots are banging the loudest drums and the trends in the polls are thoroughly alarming.

Suddenly this nation is in big trouble, and it's being made worse by a Prime Minister who at best is a Pontius Pilate and at worst a monstrous opportunist placing the nation at jeopardy for electoral advantage. As far as I can see, the evidence points overwhelmingly to the latter. For the second time in eight years, John Howard is playing not just one race card but a royal routine, permitting hostility towards Asians and Aborigines - while close colleagues are now trying to goad the homophobes.

Phillip's article then spoke about the initiative to wear orange ribbons to indicate tolerance.

Last year we watched the lead up to a federal election where Howard again played a winning hand - this time five aces. Why is it that so many voters were willing to believe that asylum seekers were murdering their own children after such an arduous journey? For 2002, we need the ribbons - and much more than simply tolerance.

Chris Henderson

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