Corbin Goodman
Post 2
Part 1: The Australian: “Landowners demand say on Cape asylum centre”
Part 2: The Sydney Morning Herald: “Old air force base to be converted to detention centre ”
Part 3:
A high level of asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat has put the Gillard government in a tough position. A proposal will convert a “rarely used” air force base outside of the small town of Weipa into a centre for 300 single male asylum seekers. The article in The Australian highlights the economic benefit that such a centre will bring the mining town with one citizen even suggesting, “why not send 3000?” It continues by noting the town’s dependence on the mining sector and how such a centre can add another industry to lessen the current reliance on mining. The second link from The Sydney Morning Herald is more skeptical of the move and examines the issue through a lens that paints the current government as deceiving and dishonest. Many are confused by the move due to Weipa’s remote location and its elected town officials feel as if the government purposely bypassed their thoughts and considerations on the issue. This article parallels the immigration dilemma here in the U.S. as both America and Australia continue to see rising levels of asylum seekers that have no place to go once they arrive. I also find the difference in attitude between articles 1 and 2 very curious. In article 1, Weipa business people see the conversion as a positive for the town’s economy whereas in the second article, those interviewed question the sincerity and integrity of Australia’s federal government for doing something it previously said it would not do.
No comments:
Post a Comment