Senator Andrew Bartlett
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
 
Albany WA & Refugees
In Perth at the moment - I'm actually spending more than 48 hours in the one place, which is a nice change.

Flew down to Albany last night with (Senator) Brian Greig to meet with the Hazara refugees and others in the local community who have welcomed them so well. I've been wanting to visit this town for a while, as the town is well known for having welcomed and valued the presence of the refugees in their community. About 50 people in a local hall, including a good number of the refugees, some of who I was able to meet before the meeting. A number of them now have permanent visas - the relief on their faces at finally having some control over their future is enormous. There's still lots of challenges ahead for them of course, but it's clearly many of them will be great Australians.

For many, reuniting with wives and children is the next difficult and emotional task. Temporary visas are deliberately designed to keep families separated, so it's only once they get a permanent visa that they can try to get back together with wives and children. One man I met hadn't seen his wife and child for five years!! Even more amazingly, he was still smiling. He had been in contact with them and they were busily tyring to learn English for when they might finally be able to come to Australia - it's likely to be some time yet, so more uncertainty for him and many others.

Albany was a pretty town. It was nice and cool and reminded me a lot of parts of Tasmania in its feel. A lovely harbour and beach, as well as some islands. Brian Greig tells me it was the final town which Australian troop ships left from when they sailed off to Gallipoli - the last glimpse of Australia for many.

posted by Andrew Bartlett @ Wednesday, August 18, 2004 Permalink
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