Let us now turn to the problematic issue of refugees and asylum seekers. It is likely that refugees who enter Australia on a humanitarian visa may have an initial negative economic impact as they address broader social obligations, as part of Australia’s role as a global citizen. Nevertheless, once settled, they make a significant contribution to the economy, particularly in areas of shortage. Refugees resettled in regional Australia can make an economic growth and become part of the community – the story of the Biloela family is a case in point. However, the Right will have us believe we are being flooded with refugees and asylum seekers – note the emotive use of language. Once again, let us examine the facts. According to UNHCR data, Australia hosts almost 60,000 refugees and 80,000 asylum seekers –  this latter group often has very few rights[1]. This compares to over 3 million in both Iran and Turkey, 2.5 million in Germany and over 2 million in Pakistan. Asylum seekers often come from war-torn countries such as Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia. It is beyond the scope of this article to unpick the genesis of the wars in those countries, but suffice it to say they all bear the hallmarks of Western interference, and/or geo-political machinations.

But we should not look at this issue in purely economic terms. Putting aside for a moment the argument that admitting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers discharges our responsibilities as global citizens, they have changed the social landscape of the communities in which they live. Just as post-war Italian, Greek, Lebanese and other migrations have transformed, and improved, our eating and drinking habits throughout the country, so have more recent immigrants. For example, go to Flemington for Somali and Sudanese food, to North Richmond for Vietnamese food, to Dandenong for Afghani food, and to Glenroy for food and provisions from Nepal.  Without migrants of all types, our supermarkets would only be stocked with Western food at the expense of our palates.

I will conclude this article with some statistics about crime and the issue of African gangs. But I will begin with a quote from a county court judge on the issue:

“If you are an African offender, and certainly if you’re an African youth of South Sudanese background from the western suburbs of Melbourne, rest assured your case will be reported upon.

The media choose to report upon those cases. That creates an impression that we, that our work, a very significant proportion of our work is taken up with African youths from the western suburbs of Melbourne. That’s a false impression.”[2]

Let’s now turn to the statistics. According to  the Victorian  Crime Statistics Agency,  people born in Australia accounted for 64.90% of the Victorian population, and 72.57% of unique alleged offenders while people born in Sudan or South Sudan accounted for 0.14% of the Victorian population, and 1% of unique alleged offenders (a unique offender rate to population share of 7)[3]. So, the media is right? Let’s unpick the data a little more. The media and political coverage of the issue of African gangs would have us believe that they are the major source of crime – but they’re most represented in robbery at 8.5 % and burglary at 3.8% of the total . The CSA suggests that the age profile of the group influences the crime rate. Over 40% of the Sudanese population is under 25, compared to 1/3 of the overall population, and  Sudanese and South Sudanese offenders are younger than their Australian counterparts.  So, we have a  high number of young people who come from war-ravaged failed states with no functioning institutions,  have witnessed civil war, displacement , family separation and extreme violence.[4] Understandably they have a deep-rooted suspicion of authority. When ADF personnel return from service overseas suffering from PTSD we quite properly regard them as needed treatment and support. Young Sudanese people  often suffering from the same ailment are demonised by the media and politicians in search of votes. Do we really think demonisation is the way to solve the problem?

[1] Rather than describe the complex issue of asylum seeker rights, for those of you interested in the facts, see https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/asylum-policies/7/

[2] The Conversation, 5 November 2018.

[3] Victorian Crime Statistics Agency (CSA)

[4] Mental Health – Submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System