Go Back...

Between June 21 and 23, at 8:30pm, I joined many other Australians in turning on my television to SBS for the three part documentary series "Go Back To Where You Came From". 

Like everyone else who watched, I came to the program with my own experiences, thoughts and feelings on how Australia approaches the matter of refugees and those who wish to seek asylum in our country. However, it is certainly a complex issue and one for which greater discussion and understanding by all Australians (including myself!) is certainly, in my mind, beneficial.

Although there are extremes on either side of this discussion, many people accept that it is good and right for Australia to assist and welcome UNHCR registered refugees who have applied through the 'appropriate' legal channels. These same people, however, reject the idea that Australia might assist and accept those who are not registered with the UN refugee agency and have not applied for Australian residency before arriving in Australian territory by boat. On the surface this seems an understandable viewpoint. Certainly, Australians are not heartless. In fact, Australian citizens have shown extreme financial generosity in the way we have responded to many traumatic situations, both within Australia and around the world. However, many would see that laws are put in place for a reason, and it is not fair for those who make the effort to apply through the correct procedures to be superseded by those who cut in line and choose not to do the right thing. As I have previously mentioned, though, this is a complex issue, and not one that can be properly explored without looking deeper.


Some of those who seek asylum in our country, including many who are fleeing the war-torn middle east, do not have access to either the UNHCR, an Australian embassy or any other means of applying for asylum and refuge in Australia through the legally prescribed channels. These people, commonly referred to as 'queue jumpers', in reality, have no access to this so-called 'queue' at all. Is it really fair for us to reject these people, who are trying to escape the extreme danger, fear and trauma of their homeland, simply because they have the added misfortune of coming from a country that does not allow them to make an application for refuge in Australia? 
Having said that, it does not seem right for those who have gone through the process of applying for asylum in Australia, to be left behind to suffer in UNHCR camps while those who arrive by boat are re-settled in freedom.
Why, though, does it have to be one or the other?


There is a limit to the number of refugees and asylum seekers that Australia can support and re-settle. However, I doubt that the several hundred who arrive in Australian waters by boat each year come near to the number that we can afford to accomodate.


Politicians have been heard to argue that a hard line must be taken to "stop the boats" due to the danger that less than seaworthy boats pose to the people that pay to travel in them. It is most definately true to say that those who operate the boats take advantage of human beings who are vulnerable and desperate, risking the lives of those who seek asylum in order to selfishly increase the health of their own bank balance. Unless action is taken to give these people seeking asylum a safe means by which to travel to Australia (in order to put the people smugglers out of business), or to solve the problem from which they are fleeing in the first place, how is "stopping the boats" really solving anything?


Somehow, our current government have come to the conclusion that sending those who come by boat to Malaysia is the ultimate and best solution. Malaysia is not a signatory to the UNHCR and is known to physically abuse those seeking refuge and asylum. They have also been seen to arrest and imprison refugees and asylum seekers with little interest even to whether they are registered or not with the UNHCR. As a result, those who come to Malaysia after fleeing persecution and danger in their country of birth continue to live in fear. Parents are unable to work, children are not free to go outside and play. Is it any wonder that so many human beings reach the point where they are desperate enough to take up a people smuggler's offer? Yet, that is what our government wants to send them back to. We have been told that those who enter Australian waters and are turned around  will be protected and kept safe in Malaysia by Australia. We have not, however, been told how long this protection will last and how they will manage to track the asylum seekers in order to make sure that they are protected and well cared for. These desperate and traumatised people will also be permanently denied resettlement in Australia.

In any case, if the intent is to "stop the boats" how is providing those who depart Malaysia by boat for Australia, due to the terrible mistreatment and fear they face there, with protection from that which they fear (even temporarily), going to help stop people desperate enough to choose to take that voyage in the first place? On top of that, this program is going to cost our country a heck of a lot of money that, quite frankly, could be better spent. And how does any of this actually acknowledge the trauma that these people have faced and respond with appropriate and humane compassion? 

In exchange for returning 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia, Australia will take 4000 UNHCR registered refugees over the next four years. Though it is truly wonderful for those who have been able to register with UNHCR and benefit from this scheme, the question remains: Is it not unfair for us to reject these people simply because they have the added misfortune of coming from a country that does not allow them to make an application for refuge in Australia, or because they have had their identification documents taken from them by people smugglers who they sought help from in utter desperation?


I don't have all the answers. I don't have a solution to the question of how all the world's people might be able to live in a place of both physical and emotional safety. But I do know that the answer does not lay with fear and judgement, but rather love and compassion. 

It's time to acknowledge and accept that this is about humanity, not politics.

Deciphering the Language of My Life; Discovering Vocation.

"Ruth", I said, "people keep telling me that 'way will open'. Well, I sit in silence, I pray, I listen for my calling, but way is not opening. I've been trying to find my vocation for a long time, and I still don't have  the foggiest idea of what I'm meant to do. Way may open for other people, but it's sure not opening for me."

Ruth's reply was a model for Quaker plain-speaking. "I'm a birthright Friend," she said somberly, "and in sixty-plus years of living, way has never opened in front of me." She paused, and I started sinking into despair. Was this wise woman telling me that the Quaker concept of God's guidance was a hoax?

Then she spoke again, this time with a grin. "But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that's had the same guiding effect."

- Parker J. Palmer, 'Let Your Life Speak' p38

.  .  .  .  .

A few weeks ago I decided to bite the bullet and enrol to finish my Bachelor of Theology in 2011. Having suffered from severe fatigue throughout 2010, it has not been possible for me to complete the 3 final subjects over the past year.  My health has not improved, but now I have a greater understanding of my limits. As a result, I feel I am in a better place to push myself through those last few units, over the course of a year. Besides, having come so close I just really want to graduate! (and hey, just as long as I can do enough to pass - 'P's get degrees!)

Having made that decision, and inspired by a friend with Chronic Fatigue who has decided to return to work part time, I was led to consider what I might choose to do following my graduation. I also like to plan for what I would/will do should my health improve, as I believe it one day will. My first thought was to maybe look into chaplaincy part time. I figured, I have a certificate in youth work and experience working with/for young people and my greatest area of strength/passion within Christian Ministry seemed to be in the area of individual pastoral care and counselling. As a chaplain, much of my time would be spent listening to and speaking with individual students. But then, I don't really like the idea of other areas of the job; having to plan programs and such. I like to be involved in a team of people when it comes to the preparation and facilitation of programs (and have some ability in this area), but have never enjoyed or done as well being the person in charge who has to get things started and make the key decisions. So, then, having been encouraged by several people as to my counselling skills, I looked into the possibility of doing a Graduate Diploma in Counselling. But even then, how do I know that this would be a fitting vocation for me?

The advice found in Parker Palmer's book, 'Let Your Life Speak' seems to make sense. Much can be learned from the doors that have been closed in the past. My problem is, how do I decipher the message that life is trying to give to me? How do I know the difference between that which caused the door to be closed, and therefore should be avoided, and that part of me that opened the door in the first place - and might serve as a guide to the vocation that best suits me?

Many doors have closed behind me...
Professional dancer? Closed.
Youth Worker? Closed.
Minister? Closed.
Administration Officer? Closed.


What are the qualities, abilities, passions, difficulties, that have remained throughout these many doors closing?

Well, I've always had an affinity with reading and writing. My mum says that even as a small child I was entranced by the written word. I was always ahead of my class when it came to reading. In addition, I wrote a lot of poetry from about 12 - 22 years of age, have written many journals and enjoy helping others to edit and polish assignments, letters etc. Taking a hint from this, and at a friend's suggestion, I began this blog and am VERY slowly writiing an autobiography. Turns out, sifting through years of memories and trying to come up with something someone might actually want to read is hard work! (if only I had someone who could help me with it! Anyone reading this who may know a writer who could help me, please feel free to let me know...)

I've also enjoyed public speaking in some form or another since I was about 12 or 13 years old. I'm not doing any of this at the moment but feel that maybe if I was to find a vocation that sat well with who I am, some sort of public speaking would be included. Maybe if I get my book finished one day, I could use my public speaking skills in publicising it? :).

I also know that whether or not I am involved in ministry or counselling in a formal capacity, people who are going through hard times will find me, and I will listen to them and help to guide them towards freedom from whatever is holding them captive. I enjoy this and have been told by several people that I have a gift in this area.

I also have a passion for the perfoming arts, dancing, singing, acting. I trained as a dancer to Tertiary level and may have gone on to have a career in this field if I had not chosen to explore ministry and youth work. I feel that something is missing in my life without this type of creative expression. Although it is different in many ways, public speaking does also tie in with this love of performance.

So, where does all this leave me? To be honest, somewhat exhausted! There are so many options, how am I to choose??

Maybe I don't need to.

Perhaps doing so is actually counter-active. 

Perhaps, living in the present, being mindful and aware of myself, is the best thing I can do. Because, in looking to choose a vocation or career, I am looking to something outside of myself and can be easily distractied and tempted by things out of line with who I am. But if I focus on where and who I am in the now (with an awareness of the signposts throughout my past) I will be better placed to receive and accept my vocation when it shows itself.

Besides, who knows what might happen in the next year!!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that 2011 holds much joy and revelation for you :)