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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 7 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 2486 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross

We'll toil with hearts and hands

To make this Commonwealth of ours

Renowned of all the lands;

For those who've come across the seas

We've boundless plains to share;

With courage let us all combine

To Advance Australia Fair.

Those members who have access to a computer and to the RealPlayer program will be able to listen to the national anthem, which is sung by Julie Anthony, at the website of the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard-the best site at which to listen to that anthem. What do we, as Australians, think about people who come to our country? National politics on refugees has been darkened because of the children overboard scandal, the divisions caused in our community as a result of the Pacific solution and refugee detention centres in deserts and other places in Australia. I believe that that division has developed a subtle xenophobia, which is permeating society.

People who come to Australia also have an underlying fear, particularly if they are not from the same cultural background or religion. The aim of this motion is to try to draw members of the community together and to encourage them to open their hearts and hold out their hands to refugees who come to this country. We have all heard of the horrid circumstances faced by refugees from countries in which summary execution, incarceration without trial, torture and rape are commonplace. It would be hard for many Australians to comprehend those issues. That is why we must elevate above tension debate about whether or not refugees come to Australia.

Earlier today Mr Pratt referred to many millions of refugees around the world. We all know of the deplorable circumstances in which many of those people live. When refugees come to Australia we have an obligation to ensure that we work to undermine those who attempt to use the refugee issue to divide society. We have some examples of people who have attempted to deal with this issue in a humanitarian way. Bega Valley Shire Council has taken steps in relation to this issue. The following motion was recently put to council:

That the Bega Valley Shire Council

(1) Supports the efforts of the Bega Valley Rural Australians for Refugees group (BVRAR) in their endeavour to bring a more humane response to the treatment of refugees currently held in detention centres;

(2) Supports in principle the Welcome Towns proposal subject to the Federal Government policy change permitting asylum seekers to be released into the community while their applications are determined; and

(3) Encourages the Federal Government to review its policies connected with asylum seekers and refugees with the aim of reducing the time people, particularly asylum seeker children and their families, are held in detention centres until relevant health and security checks are completed.

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