4 ms·

Not directly related but here is my story. Some years ago I was still a student in Iran. I was watching a satellite tv show as an Australian military officer a

by mehdix 7y ago

Not directly related but here is my story. Some years ago I was still a student in Iran. I was watching a satellite tv show as an Australian military officer appeared on screen and looked into our eyes and in an intimidating way told in Persian "Australia will not be your homeland" apparently to discourage seeking asylum there. Fast forward years ahead. Every year I keep hearing more bad news from them. Australia's treatment of asylum seekers in Manus Island (as if this huge land isn't made of migrants in the first place), attack on cryptography, war on whistleblowers, wierd announcements as part of five eyes alliance, and etc. Somehow those moves all point toward a dystopian mindset.

sjy 7y ago
Thank you for sharing your story. It is important that Australians understand the way the messages our government sends to the outside world are perceived by the people targeted by them.
equdi 7y ago
Your message seems to say that countries must accept immigrants/refugees left and right otherwise they are some kind of dystopian nightmare. I disagree and I think disagreeing with that is a completely normal political stance. A country owes itself to its citizens--nothing more, nothing less.
- codedokode 7y ago
  I think the problem is with the attitude. It would be better to quote a law or give a neutral comment, instead of this looking down style. Furthermore, it is not nice that they show this ads in one country and ads to attract tourists in other countries.
- brokenmachine 7y ago
  As an Australian our treatment of (some) immigrants is a national disgrace. I would like it if our government gave more consideration to legitimate refugees instead of the completely selfish attitude that you describe. Rich immigrants coming by plane are welcomed in massive numbers, while the tiny numbers of poor refugees forced to risk their lives on boats are used as some kind of political pawns/dog whistle for racists and held in secret concentration camps in my name. It's disgusting. Also our laws are already a dystopian nightmare. Look at the AABill that was introduced recently.
fian 7y ago
Was the message specifically about seeking asylum after traveling to Australia by boat? Australia does accept Iranian refugees (and refugees from other countries) if they travel to Australia legally (ie by plane, with a visa etc). There is a strong public dislike of refugees coming illegally by boat, largely due to political fear mongering over safety (many drownings) and potential for terrorists to enter Australia. Have a look at the statistics section of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_Australia#Statistics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_Australia#Statistics The steep climb in asylum seekers arriving by boat after about 2008 was the main starting point for the current political stance against "boat people". The rest of your points re over reach of government control is alarming to many Australians. However, as these laws don't have a direct impact on most Australians (yet), there is general apathy by the public.
- codedokode 7y ago
  I think the problem is with the wording and attitude. It would be totally OK to quote an immigration law instead.

by mehdix 7y ago

sjy 7y ago

Thank you for sharing your story. It is important that Australians understand the way the messages our government sends to the outside world are perceived by the people targeted by them.

equdi 7y ago

Your message seems to say that countries must accept immigrants/refugees left and right otherwise they are some kind of dystopian nightmare. I disagree and I think disagreeing with that is a completely normal political stance. A country owes itself to its citizens--nothing more, nothing less.

codedokode 7y ago
I think the problem is with the attitude. It would be better to quote a law or give a neutral comment, instead of this looking down style. Furthermore, it is not nice that they show this ads in one country and ads to attract tourists in other countries.
brokenmachine 7y ago
As an Australian our treatment of (some) immigrants is a national disgrace. I would like it if our government gave more consideration to legitimate refugees instead of the completely selfish attitude that you describe. Rich immigrants coming by plane are welcomed in massive numbers, while the tiny numbers of poor refugees forced to risk their lives on boats are used as some kind of political pawns/dog whistle for racists and held in secret concentration camps in my name. It's disgusting. Also our laws are already a dystopian nightmare. Look at the AABill that was introduced recently.

fian 7y ago

Was the message specifically about seeking asylum after traveling to Australia by boat? Australia does accept Iranian refugees (and refugees from other countries) if they travel to Australia legally (ie by plane, with a visa etc). There is a strong public dislike of refugees coming illegally by boat, largely due to political fear mongering over safety (many drownings) and potential for terrorists to enter Australia. Have a look at the statistics section of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_Australia#Statistics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_Australia#Statistics The steep climb in asylum seekers arriving by boat after about 2008 was the main starting point for the current political stance against "boat people". The rest of your points re over reach of government control is alarming to many Australians. However, as these laws don't have a direct impact on most Australians (yet), there is general apathy by the public.

codedokode 7y ago
I think the problem is with the wording and attitude. It would be totally OK to quote an immigration law instead.