Letter writing project: forcing politicians to be honest about Australia’s refugee policy and human rights

Mr Howard and Mr Ruddock take the praise and criticism for Australia’s refugee policy. However all Federal politicians are responsible for it, unless they actively oppose it.

Many Federal politicians do not know the facts about our refugee policy, and most have not confronted the moral issues it raises.

One way to force them into the open is to write to them, asking very simple, focussed questions and then pressing for an answer. Pressing for an answer is important: they will not want to answer: rather, they will respond with bureaucratic fog in the hope that you will go away.

Tips for writing to federal politicians:

· Ask just one question (two at the most): keep the letter short; do not make speeches or offer opinions.

· A sample letter is attached. Just insert your chosen question.

· You are likely to get a wordy or evasive answer. Read it carefully. If it does not actually answer your question, write again pointing out politely that they have not answered the question. Repeat the question and ask for an answer. Repeat this process as often as necessary.

· If you get an answer, write asking another question and repeat above process. A sample is attached.

· Remain polite and keep letters brief. This makes the evasions all the more evident. Remember, repeated refusal to answer a simple question carries its own story.

· Write often enough to get you through the list of questions.

· Keep copies of all letters: yours and theirs. Once you have completed correspondence on a question, feel free to send copies to Julian Burnside at 205 William St Melbourne, 3000. If you can make a list of responses and send that as well, it will simplify the task of collating responses.

Finding federal politicians’ addresses for correspondence

· House of Representatives:
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/index.htm

· Senate:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/index.htm

For information about refugee issues generally, see:

· http://www.chilout.org/index.html

· http://www.julianburnside.com

Pro forma summary of responses here

Questions:

1. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent children?

2. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent women?

3. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent people?

4. Should asylum seekers in Australia be treated:
a) humanely?
b) decently?
c) fairly?

5. In your opinion, are asylum seekers in Australia treated:
a) humanely?
b) decently?
c) fairly?

6. Do you consider that people who arrive in Australia informally and seek asylum should be called "illegals"?

7. Do you believe that people commit an offence by arriving in Australia without permission and seeking asylum? If Yes, what offence do they commit?

8. Do you believe that people who arrive in Australia informally and seek asylum should be detained?

9. Do you believe that people who arrive in Australia informally and seek asylum should be detained indefinitely?

10. Do you believe that Courts should be denied the power to order
the release on bail of people who arrive in Australia informally and seek asylum and who are detained?

11. Do you believe the Refugee Review Tribunal should be legally required
to determine cases fairly?

12. Do you believe Courts should be prevented from overturning
unfair decisions of the Refugee Review Tribunal?

13. Do you believe Australia's policy of indefinite mandatory detention of asylum seekers is:
a) necessary?
b) humane?
c) decent?
d) fair?

Initial letter:

Dear

I am concerned about Australia’s refugee policy and human rights record.

I am a voter in the electorate of _____________.

I have a question: {insert chosen question}

I would be grateful for your response.

Yours faithfully,

__________________________[name]

__________________________[address]

Then, unless you get a clear answer to the question,
a follow up letter:

Dear

Thank you for your letter of ________________ [date].

Unfortunately, it did not answer my question.

My question was: {insert original question}

I would be grateful if you could answer it.

Yours faithfully,

__________________________[name]

__________________________[address]