Monday, July 19, 2010
asylum seeker facts
- The vast majority of people seeking asylum in Australia arrive by plane.
- 95% of asylum seekers arriving by boat are found to be genuine refugees.
- Just 3441 asylum seekers were given refugee status in Australia last year, roughly 1% of the total migration program for that year.
- In comparison, around 50,000 people over-stayed their visa last year alone – mostly people with business, student or holiday visas.
- Australia only accepts 1% of the worlds’ refugees.
- At the current rate of refugee arrivals, it would take 20 years to fill the MCG.
- It is not illegal to arrive in Australia seeking asylum.
From here.
- Ruth, part of genealogy of Jesus, was a refugee.
- Moses was seeking asylum when he fled Egypt.
- So was Jesus when his parents fled from Herod’s military might.
From here
Sorry, I’m sure this issue is more complex than such simple sound bites.
Posted by steve at 06:03 PM
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G’Day Steve,
No don’t apologise Steve… it is pretty simple really… we have not been a mature enough society to ‘have the conversation.’ The one promising thing Julia Gillard said before announcing their policy was that we ought to be able to express ourselves and speak about fears, issues, immigration, assylum seekers etc… which with lead time could have included a reality check about how small a number of people we’re speaking about and exactly what the fears are that people have… I believe the fear of exposure to ‘terrorists’ is largely exposure to difference… race or culture/s…
Anyhow, it’s to be hoped the voices of reason and alternative narratives do get heard at some stage!!
Comment by Rob Hanks — July 19, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
Why do you call Ruth a refugee? I’d call her a migrant or immigrant.
Comment by Ingrid — July 20, 2010 @ 3:07 pm