Is there an ethical rock bottom for Australia's tabloid media?
If so you may think The Daily Telegraph has found it with an article they posted today 17th February 2012, which refers to community detention facilities as a "...ship of fortune" for detainees.  

It's the kind of article I remember my year 10 social studies teacher pulling out as an example of the kind rhetoric that was being thrown around in Australian papers at the turn of the 20th century or in a particular European country during the early 1940s.
I remembered the class guffawing at the ridiculously comic nature of accusations and assertions made in those old newspaper articles. Pieces which are now considered text book examples of the propagation of racial hatred, the careful cultivation and nurturing of xenophobia. Of course we laughed at it back then... Even at 15 and 16 years old we actually believed we lived in a far more evolved and discerning world. Who could possibly fall for that kind of garbage these days... Right?

Well unfortunately these things go round and round and it looks like even in the 'Information Age' we can still be just as vulnerable to misinformation as ever.

It looks like this one's going to generate more debate which will likely drag up all kinds of vile accusations. If you'd like to follow the discussion there's already an interview on AM (ABC Radio)
Here: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3432935.htm

If you'd like to exercise your own powers of discernment or apply a little critical thinking the points raised, you might like to read the Refugee Council of Australia media release in response to the article Here
Does the article deserve any attention at all? Well I'd say yes. If there are any year ten teachers out there looking for an example of, irrational, factually incorrect, fear inciting propaganda to show their students, this article is a gem. However if we are seeking to accuse people of wasting money this particular newspaper might be a little worried about the wrath of it's own readership because surely they have been duped!
As Andrew Williams of RCA quite rightly remarks "...Readers of The Daily Telegraph should feel angry that they are being deceived.”

_( see version with photos here)

A short scenic 50km drive from Darwin nestled amongst the woodlands, stands the new jewel of the Australians detention centres, the Wickham Point Detention Centre, sorry I mean ‘Immigration Accommodation Facility’

Driving down the strong avenue of trees leading to the reception area you can’t help but feel a welcoming sense of entry.  Not only do the many plants soften the buildings and hide the infrastructure but they also provide interest for pedestrians. (Their words not mine). 

The centre is divided into 3 compounds, each with a 500 person capacity, but with the plan to only house 250 in each.  Compound 1 is due to be operational in early to mid-Dec (yes they are aware it is early December already).  They hope to have 180 new clients by the end of December. 

The 3 compounds will house a variety of nationalities, mimicking Australian society, and the many communal areas scattered around will also help facilitate the clients understanding of what it is like to be part of a community, better preparing them for when they move into a real Australian community.

The proposed recreational facilities make the NIDC look like a severely depressing place to reside.  The full scale football field that will be shared in a yet to be decided manor between the 3 compounds is complemented by each area having their own smaller field and outdoor gym that is bound to get plenty of use in the cooler Darwin months.   There is also an undercover pool table and table tennis area that the clients will be able to retreat to on the odd occasion that it rains.

The rooms are clean and spacious, with a nice bunk bed, TV, fridge and on suite bathroom.  In fact any backpackers on Mitchell Street would be proud to be able to advertise such accommodation.  The two persons per room policy is purely for safety reasons, and I understand the thinking behind this as I often feel unsafe sleeping alone at night, even when surrounded by a 40 foot security fence.

There is a hospital area, and separate mental health area where medical treatment can be provided to the clients.  There is also an area visiting dentist and optometrist can practice.   A computer lab, computer training room and library also complement the facility.  The small windowless interview rooms will help to bring the case worker and client closer together, at least in a physical sense. 

Surrounding the facility are a motion sensor 20 foot fence, then a 15 foot sterile area, then a second fence, this time electrified, but don’t’ worry it is only electrified to an ‘ouch don’t touch’ level.

All the staff were very polite and helpful, everyone from the people providing the tour down to the guys working construction made an effort to make us feel at home.  And no better example of this can be found than when on leaving the security guard at the gate asked to look in the boot of my car, for what I can only presume was to check the air pressure on my spare tyre, something I always neglect to do.

The only fault I could find is that there appears to be no communal indoor area except for the dining hall and the visitors meeting area might be a tad small
             
In conclusion if I had to choose to be indefinitely detained in a humid climate, 50km from Darwin Centre, housed with 1500 single males, sharing a bunk room, with an outdoor gym facility, surrounded by a 20 foot electric fence, I could think of no place more suitable than the new Immigration Accommodation Facility.

For our first Blog post we thought we'd take advantage of the comfort offered by the distance of time. Sometimes it is hard to consider a situation clearly when we are caught up in the turbulence of political spin, rhetoric emotive reporting and fear mongering and urgency of Now!

The letter below was forwarded to us by a DASSAN member who recalls an experience with a group of people from Vietnam back in the mid 70s.

"I was ferreting in an old file and found this letter.  It brings back a few memories. there were 6 Vietnamese who were locked in a cabin while their boat was sailed to Darwin, where the 'thieves' applied for asylum.  These 6 had to wait until a  bigger vessel came to darwin to escort them home in their ship.  I was calling by to say hello a few times, and took half of them to visit a farmer friend at Tortilla Flats.  They had an English speaking student helping them out for a while.  This letter from him just demonstrates how a little kindness goes a long way - further that we might think."

Letter written on 28th March 1976 by a Vietnamese student who had been in Darwin as interpreter for the 6 Vietnamese refugees.
Pat Walsh booklaunch, ET in 2000's  mainly, Wed 5.15 Library in Parlt Hse

typed letter 28/3/76
Dear Rob,
I am very sorry for having written you a bit late.  It due to, as you know, a very long postal strike in Canberra and in NSW.  Beside, I have been a bit busy during these days. On writing you today, first of all, I would like to express my many thanks to you for what you have done for me and my friends.  I think that my stay in Darwin, with your help and kindness, was very nice.  I myself will never forget these experiences.  For my friends too, they are very grateful to you.  With your help, they could spend those very long days a bit less lonely and less homesick.  Your coming to the boat and your talks made them understand more about Australian people, and made them more merrier.  I think that when they return to our homeland, they will never forget those days.  They will never forget the experiences they lived in the farm, hunting, exploring the harbour, etc .  ...  Are you busy in the last days?  Have you got time to go the boat and have talk with them.  Although they do not speak English, they can understand you, and they fell (feel) less lonely by having talked with Australian friends. Now I would like to say something about me.  First of all, I would like to tell you that my trip to Canberra was nice and safe.  I arrived at Canberra airport on early Monday morning.  That day was the Canberra day, so I have got time to rest after a long journey from Darwin. I was a bit busy preparing for my study, but now everything is O.K.  I have been very well since I said good-bye to you.  I think that I will be well during the last days in Australia.To conclude my letter, again I would like to thank you very much.  I will never forget your help and kindness.  My friends I think that they are very grateful to you.  They will never forget you and Darwin.I wish you many successes in your work.  Good luck.

yours sincerely.

Nguyen (Name omitted)

Dear Friends,
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