Well, not quite. But it seems we are heading this way. Indonesia seems to hold a lot of sway over the Howard government. It has probably been happening for a while, but only recent event have brought it out into the public. We saw how Indonesian politicians oversaw the Howard government's decision making on the West Papuan Asylum Seekers. We also now see the Indonesian government feeling bold enough to criticise the defeat of Howard's Refugee bill. (I know it is not really a defeat, but close too it.) The Indonesians say that by not passing the bill, Australia is making it easier for terrorists, and that we "opened the door for a new wave of asylum seekers, including illegal migrants who have been in Indonesia for years." (SMH, 15/08/06)
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan WirayudaTwo things of interest to me here. One: Which country, out of Indonesia and Australia, has had terrorist attacks carried out on its soil? Two: If Indonesia knows there are illegal migrants on its soil, why doesn't it do something about them, instead of trying to threaten Australia with them?
The only two reasons that Howard withdrew the refugee bill before it went to the senate, is because he didn't want to face defeat, and it gives him the option of reintroducing it again at a later time.
It seems that if the Howard government is not trying to appease the almighty U.S. of A., then he is trying to appease the Indonesians.
Before too long, it seems that we may end up being Indonesia's newest state.
DPS.
1 comment:
I think that's going a bit far.
Indon only just made a transition to a democracy. And so far it's done it pretty well. But there's hard liners that need to be appeased - the SBY knows it, Howard knows it. So it's a dog and pony show for them I think.
We need a moderate indon government. A shift to the right means a softening on terror training and support etc. Which we don't want.
Fact is Indon is critical to our security. 70% of our sea trade goes through their waters and their country is a stepping stone for an invasion of Oz - if it ever came to that.
That being said I found the refugee laws introduced to be an afront to the Austalian national character of a fair go. It digusted me.
Post a Comment