http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/perspective/stories/s404771.htm
On Wednesday 31/10/01
Mick Dodson
Good evening
There is a not so silent aspect to this Federal election campaign that
causes me deep concern. Both major political parties, led by Mr Howard's
Coalition, are exploiting fear and ignorance. There seems to be a deliberate
appeal to the worst of the prejudices, bigotry and ignorance of some. This
is the politics of difference and intolerance. The contest of ideas is
nowhere to be seen.
It is a campaign that is elusive, almost sneeky on the question of race.
Xenophobic fear of the other is being invoked in the most despicable way as
a rallying call to security of national borders and nationalism itself.
Asylum seekers in boats have replaced indigenous Australians as the
scapegoats for this fear and hate. Prejudice takes over from reason;
humanity gives way to hysteria.
Our poorest Pacific neighbours are called upon to return or accept favours
in a makeshift solution to the desperation of the desperate. Compassion and
humanity take a back seat, for we are told we have already been far too
generous and enough is enough. Small Pacific nations now need that money and
more to act as surrogates for our humanity - our compassion - our concern.
We pass laws that alter our borders. We send in the navy and the SAS, we
spend more money, we talk tough, we lambast the people smugglers, we
heighten the fears, but still the boats with their desperate human cargo
come and Megawati refuses to answer John's calls.
One Nation must scarcely believe their luck.
It is not just the call to xenophobic and racist sentiment that deeply
concerns me about John Howard's campaign (particularly) and the deep
inhumanity it represents, but it is no solution. It will have a cost to us
as a nation. This will be a heavy cost, not only in terms of dollars but
also in how people elsewhere perceive us. It has already done us damage and
will continue to do so.
What truly bewilders me is when and why did the Australian Labor Party turn.
John Howard's attitude can be explained; he has the track record. We heard
his views on Asian immigration loud and clear in the 1980s. We Indigenous
Australians live with his racially discriminatory Native Title law. We are
witnesses to his incapacity to say sorry to the stolen generations. We well
know his wishy washy commitment to Reconciliation. But what of Kim Beazley
and Labor? When it comes to race issues in this campaign forgive me if I
cannot spot the difference. Also please forgive me if I think I have no
choice in the major parties. It presents a difficult decision for me when it
comes to marking my ballot paper. It is not only GST being rolled back here,
its solid national leadership and vision, multiculturalism and
reconciliation as well.
Perhaps I should have cause for relief because the campaign is not attacking
indigenous Australians for a change - but attacking those scary 'others'.
So, where I ask, does my vote seek asylum?
And what of after the election? Can the damage be undone? Will the winner
account to us the electors?
Regardless of whoever wins the election there are many things that will stay
the same. We will still have the GST. The education and health problems will
not have magically vanished. Indigenous Australians will still be massively
over-represented in our prisons and our kids will still be dying at three to
six times the national rate. The bombs will still be raining down on
Afghanistan and terrified people on leaky boats will still be arriving.
I hope your vote is a happy one! Thank you.
--
Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/
Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop
Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink
Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
