Ad Nauseum

I had thought that the message of asylum seekers NOT being illegal was beginning to seep into the Australian understanding, but apparently I was wrong! This morning The Age Online published an article written by AAP called "Joyce Joins Fray over Asylum Laws". I couldn't believe my eyes when I read it!! Here is the letter I typed and sent in record time to every person with the word 'editor' anywhere near their name in the 'Contact Us' section:

Dear Editors,

I have just seen the article on The Age Online entitled 'Joyce Joins
Fray Over Asylum Laws' and was surprised to read the following...

"Under the government's legislation, all asylum seekers who come to
Australia illegally will be processed offshore."

I would respectfully ask that you change the word 'illegally'
immediately, as there is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker!
Asylum seekers have every right to come to Australia (even on leaky
boats, even with no documentation) under the Refugees Convention, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and perhaps most importantly
under s36 of Australia's own Migration Act.

It is particularly important to use accurate terminology at this point
in time when the Government is proposing (by the changes in the law)
to strip refugees of all rights in Australia.

Please do not facilitate the spread of malicious and incorrect
messages that asylum seekers are "illegal" by making such editorial
slips.

Otherwise, thank you for your coverage of this Bill and I look forward
to reading more following the Senate report due today.

Respectfully yours,

Jessie Taylor

Heavens. I can't believe they made that mistake! Calling asylum seekers illegals is like, SO five years ago!! However, I can see the problem. The label given to asylum seekers by the government is 'unlawful' (meaning, without officially designated status under the law - but NOT illegal), which is OF COURSE misinterpreted as 'illegal'. So then people just forget about the distinction (which is pretty easy to do - it seems such a fussy point of semantics) and suddenly people who simply don't have any officially designated status under the law are illegal. Scary. But oh-so-smooth. Our government is a clever bunch and they know how to play with language.

Just remember that on the plan for the Baxter Detention Centre, a massive, glinting, steel, razor-wire covered electric fence is referred to as an "energised courtesy fence". Oh my goodness. The moral of the story? Don't be fooled by seductive words, empty meanings and convenient definitions. That includes you, AAP and The Age Online...

(above pic of Baxter's lovely 'energised courtesy fence' from ronny restrepo. thank you!)