Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

[aussietrekker]

My first impression upon seeing the photo of the pastel-walled detention centre on Tuesday�s front page was �wow, the luxury!� I bet it even has an inside toilet! A far cry from the asbestos-riddled migrant hostels, situated next to oil tanks and disease-ridden creeks, which were endured by two generations of legal migrants and genuine refugees in the 50�s and 60�s. So it has a high fence, but �illegal anything� requires fencing in, for the security of those outside. It�s common sense. We see many letters and protests from local human rights activists, usually with Anglo surnames and leafy middle-class addresses- few of whom have actually been through the migrant experience themselves. Conspicuous by their absence are the already established compatriots of the boat people, who (if things were so dire for these intended queue-jumpers) would be lobbying the government relentlessly as a group to help these poor victims in their �plight�, or at least offering to billet them in their own homes. In fact, they are too busy working hard to integrate and provide for their families legally as my own family did, and have no wish to encourage the rogues and troublemakers that they left behind. Whatever personal or political agenda motivated this Malaysia deal, I welcome any decision that effectively takes down the �Free Money- Apply Here� sign. It has been up for way too long.

[stormfour]

Here here Judith
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Carol Myers Altona Hostel Dec 1962 - June 1964