The right type of refugee

You're tired. You're young. You're old. You've just lost your mother, your sister, your father, your own child. You are alone. You have a family to protect. You've lost your home. You have to leave your home. They took your home. They beat you. They took your life. Your job. Your community. Your friends are gone. Your friends are now your enemies. You're scared.

Who are you?

You are the subject of new reforms, congratulations. You're a refugee, .. if you can prove it.

As of the 9^th of April (2010) the Australian government has decided to suspend the processing of Afghanistan and Sri Lankan asylum claims, why? Because they are not seen as legitimate refugee's.

The recent reforms within both countries political states has given the Rudd government the idea that they can suspend all claims for asylum altogether. It seems a bit strange then that the US government is sending thousands of additional troops into southern Afghanistan in case of the failure of the Karzai regime. In which case the war will break out again.

Still, without any major political tension breaking out just yet, it is still dangerous to voice an opposing opinion is such areas with several journalists feeing the country in the past few weeks in fear of their lives, one of these who was severely beaten, to the degree that he is permanently disabled.

Taking just this into consideration i think its safe to say that to flee under these conditions alone would be reason enough to claim for asylum.

But at least this time the government is warning asylum seekers that they're unwanted, better than sinking them and accusing the parents on board of throwing their children into the water. Right?

health a privilege?

I'm lucky to say i've never experienced a lot of pain.

A cold or a sore throat was always easily fixed with a trip to the doctors, even now with such a shortage in the medical profession I get in on the day due to connections. Only recently have i realized how lucky, actually privileged is more accurate to what i am. My family has always been covered by private health insurance, which came as a blessing when i was younger with my numerous hospitalizations. I was not a healthy child. As i've grown older and healthier i've been grateful not to have to return to hospital so frequently, i think even those who have experienced hospitalization and the costs involved outside cover will take it for granted.

Health care in Australia is universal, or so i thought. With medicare claiming to cover all Australian citizens, basic health needs are being met for those living close to an appropriate facility. But what about those who cannot access such facilities?

I was saddened to find that the indigenous population of our country are being grossly overlooked under healthcare. With some of our sickest indigenous groups being 'un-eligible' for medicare. How can an organization, especially a government funded one, claim to be universal when it neglects one of out most precious populations?

Imagine having two doctor visits at most a year, with gaps up to six months in between.

Our indigenous population die almost 17 years before the average person in Australia, and with the rate of funding being put into certain indigenous health programs, this number is not going to change.

Help change, sign the close the gap pledge.

http://www.oxfam.org.au/act/events/close-the-gap-day