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It is an absolute national shame. MSF recently likened the mental health of the people on Nauru to victims of torture.[1] The most disturbing aspect is the str

It is an absolute national shame. MSF recently likened the mental health of the people on Nauru to victims of torture.[1] The most disturbing aspect is the strong bipartisan and public support for the ongoing abuse. Every Australian should wake up in the morning, take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they're proud of what they've become. [1] https://www.msf.org.au/article/statements-opinion/indefinite-despair-mental-health-consequences-nauru https://www.msf.org.au/article/statements-opinion/indefinite...

brokenmachine 8y ago
>The most disturbing aspect is the strong bipartisan and public support for the ongoing abuse. Is there really public support? Everyone I've talked to thinks it's a disgrace.
- nickcox 8y ago
  The pollies seem to think so. I don't know anyone who admitted voting for Abbott in 2013 either but a lot of people obviously did.
- bigiain 8y ago
  My personal social circle and Sydney Inner West socailly aware bubble all thinks it's a disgrace, but I'm not kidding myself into thinking I'd need to go very far before I bumped into people who'd justify it to themselves as "necessary for the country", and not a lot further to find people actively and vocally celebrating the cruelness...
  - bigger_cheese 8y ago
    Yes this is the sad truth unfortunately a huge swathe of the general population support the 'tough on refugees' stance. It can get pretty ugly. About 5 years ago I was pretty heavily involved in refugee activism a friend and I were spat on in a shopping center for circulating a petition and was not uncommon to get verbally abused by people in the street. This was in a safe labor area too so it's not exactly like I was in some conservative heartland.
- Joakal 8y ago
  Some people say the efforts by Liberal/Labor are to discourage a lot more refugees from overwhelming Australia. Resulting in increased crime, less jobs, etc. They acknowledge that some will suffer in the process. Other points I noticed: - Coming across as emotional about the harm and suffering on Nauru or escaping war, they will dismiss all arguments as immature and feel like they're being an adult to you. - Some are persuaded by increased economic activity and net welfare investment benefits but want more screening but wouldn't know how to do this effectively. Source: Asking random people about policies. Some people you can try asking: mechanics, tradies, checkout people, business people, asking people who handout stuff for Liberal/Labor. To get a deep understanding, read their sources, any of the Murdoch rags or right wing morning shows (ie Alan Jones).
  - brokenmachine 8y ago
    >Some people say the efforts by Liberal/Labor are to discourage a lot more refugees from overwhelming Australia. Resulting in increased crime, less jobs, etc. Meanwhile we're letting every man and his dog waltz in through the front door, as long as they have money. But we don't want those dirty refugees! Lock them up in our own Aussie Guantanamo and throw away the key. It's sickening.
- blu_prussian 8y ago
  There have been slightly more encouraging signs recently that the tides are shifting, at least in my view. The rinsing the state Liberals got in Victoria after desperately pushing the openly racist and patently false "African youths are all gang members and everyone is afraid of being robbed" rhetoric, as well as the uptick in general awareness and number of protests makes me hope the publics apathy is morphing into a deep national shame. That being said being a "coastal elite" in a progressive area isn't necessarily a good litmus test

brokenmachine 8y ago

>The most disturbing aspect is the strong bipartisan and public support for the ongoing abuse. Is there really public support? Everyone I've talked to thinks it's a disgrace.

nickcox 8y ago
The pollies seem to think so. I don't know anyone who admitted voting for Abbott in 2013 either but a lot of people obviously did.
bigiain 8y ago
My personal social circle and Sydney Inner West socailly aware bubble all thinks it's a disgrace, but I'm not kidding myself into thinking I'd need to go very far before I bumped into people who'd justify it to themselves as "necessary for the country", and not a lot further to find people actively and vocally celebrating the cruelness...
- bigger_cheese 8y ago
  Yes this is the sad truth unfortunately a huge swathe of the general population support the 'tough on refugees' stance. It can get pretty ugly. About 5 years ago I was pretty heavily involved in refugee activism a friend and I were spat on in a shopping center for circulating a petition and was not uncommon to get verbally abused by people in the street. This was in a safe labor area too so it's not exactly like I was in some conservative heartland.
Joakal 8y ago
Some people say the efforts by Liberal/Labor are to discourage a lot more refugees from overwhelming Australia. Resulting in increased crime, less jobs, etc. They acknowledge that some will suffer in the process. Other points I noticed: - Coming across as emotional about the harm and suffering on Nauru or escaping war, they will dismiss all arguments as immature and feel like they're being an adult to you. - Some are persuaded by increased economic activity and net welfare investment benefits but want more screening but wouldn't know how to do this effectively. Source: Asking random people about policies. Some people you can try asking: mechanics, tradies, checkout people, business people, asking people who handout stuff for Liberal/Labor. To get a deep understanding, read their sources, any of the Murdoch rags or right wing morning shows (ie Alan Jones).
- brokenmachine 8y ago
  >Some people say the efforts by Liberal/Labor are to discourage a lot more refugees from overwhelming Australia. Resulting in increased crime, less jobs, etc. Meanwhile we're letting every man and his dog waltz in through the front door, as long as they have money. But we don't want those dirty refugees! Lock them up in our own Aussie Guantanamo and throw away the key. It's sickening.
blu_prussian 8y ago
There have been slightly more encouraging signs recently that the tides are shifting, at least in my view. The rinsing the state Liberals got in Victoria after desperately pushing the openly racist and patently false "African youths are all gang members and everyone is afraid of being robbed" rhetoric, as well as the uptick in general awareness and number of protests makes me hope the publics apathy is morphing into a deep national shame. That being said being a "coastal elite" in a progressive area isn't necessarily a good litmus test