THE administration of the policy of
compulsory detention can be compared in some ways (with) the
administration of the White Australia Policy. Its proponents are as wrong
as Robert Menzies was wrong in 1949 when he defended the White Australia
Policy.
The Government, I believe, is blind
to the concern, to the fears, to the hopes and the reality of individuals
in today's world as it pursues its policy of compulsory, mandatory,
non-reviewable detention with vigour and, if necessary, with force.
Evil may be too strong a word to use
in relation to [Australia's detention centres], but the way the policy is
carried out denies the basic rights of asylum-seekers. It's contrary to
international conventions to which Australia committed itself as far back
as 1954, and I think there's a significant element of racism in the
policy.
I've come to hate any element of
racism or sectarianism because whether you go to Africa or whether you go
to the Balkans or other parts of the world, so much evil is done in the
name of racism and the name of sectarianism, and if it raises its head
anywhere I just believe it must be opposed.
I don't see any sign that either the
Government or the Labor Party would change the policy in ways that I would
regard as adequate and significant.,
