26 August 2004
A GENUINE CHANGE OF HEART OR PRE-ELECTION WINDOW DRESSING?
Doubts have been expressed in regard to recent announcements from the Australian government in relation to the sharing of East Timor oil and gas revenues as well as the plight of refugees currently holding temporary protection visas.
Certainly the indication that the Australian government is willing to negotiate about all of the oil and gas fields in dispute is a step forward, however it does not represent a final resolution of the issue. The next round of talks between East Timor and Australia is due to take place on September 20th and will be very significant.
Those urging a just sharing of these resources are encouraged to continue to press political leaders and candidates on this matter. The danger is that by appearing to make concessions a political party can take the “heat” out of an issue prior to an election without being committed to a fair and genuine resolution of the issue.
Regular news updates and suggestions for campaigning for a fair outcome for the East Timorese people can be found at the Timor Sea Justicewebsite.
Similar reservations have been expressed about the recent announcements moderating Australia’s harsh treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. One wonders if the decision to allow TPV holders living in working in marginal seats in rural areas (where they have become valued members of local communities) to apply for permanent residency while denying the same opportunities to those living in the major cities is motivated by justice and compassion or political expediency?
Bishop Joseph Grech, the chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Migrants and Refugees welcomed the decision to allow TPV holders living and working in regional areas to apply for permanent residency but pointed out that it did little for refugees residing in cities – indeed it created yet another class of refugee.
He went on to say that the Church “will always welcome any changes to government policy which allow genuine refugees to apply for permanent protection, but will continue to press for ongoing protection for all refugees, no matter how they arrive.”
The full text of Bishop Grech’s statement can be found at the website of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Certainly the indication that the Australian government is willing to negotiate about all of the oil and gas fields in dispute is a step forward, however it does not represent a final resolution of the issue. The next round of talks between East Timor and Australia is due to take place on September 20th and will be very significant.
Those urging a just sharing of these resources are encouraged to continue to press political leaders and candidates on this matter. The danger is that by appearing to make concessions a political party can take the “heat” out of an issue prior to an election without being committed to a fair and genuine resolution of the issue.
Regular news updates and suggestions for campaigning for a fair outcome for the East Timorese people can be found at the Timor Sea Justicewebsite.
Similar reservations have been expressed about the recent announcements moderating Australia’s harsh treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. One wonders if the decision to allow TPV holders living in working in marginal seats in rural areas (where they have become valued members of local communities) to apply for permanent residency while denying the same opportunities to those living in the major cities is motivated by justice and compassion or political expediency?
Bishop Joseph Grech, the chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Migrants and Refugees welcomed the decision to allow TPV holders living and working in regional areas to apply for permanent residency but pointed out that it did little for refugees residing in cities – indeed it created yet another class of refugee.
He went on to say that the Church “will always welcome any changes to government policy which allow genuine refugees to apply for permanent protection, but will continue to press for ongoing protection for all refugees, no matter how they arrive.”
The full text of Bishop Grech’s statement can be found at the website of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
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