Go Back To Where You Came From., Season 2.
by IMOGEN BAILEY
When I was asked to be a part of the SBS documentary series Go Back to Where You Came From, I jumped at the chance to be involved.
Let’s face it, it is one thing to be sympathetic but if you don’t have the knowledge to back up your passion (not to mention the fact that to many you may be remembered from your days as a ‘bikini model’) well, you best sit down because your input could do more harm than good.
I plead guilty – guilty to always wanting to take the next step, but not doing it. I also plead guilty to switching off.
The political nightmare that surrounds this issue is dark and murky and for me a disgusting reflection of what politics is all about today. It is political opportunism of the worst kind.
So I signed on the dotted line to be a part of this documentary and felt good about the fact that I was about to embark on not only a journey of education, but also one of the best kinds – firsthand experience.
In retrospect, did I really know what I was getting myself into? No, absolutely not. I knew this trip would be confronting and I knew it would be scary. What I couldn’t prepare for was the emotional rollercoaster I was to experience (during and after the trip).
From men with guns, to tiny helpless babies who could be held in the palm of a man’s hand, I was confronted and shocked at all points of my refugee journey. I couldn’t help but wonder if Tony Abbott would feel differently about these issues if he was on the ground in Somalia and held a starving child in the palm of his hand? Figuratively speaking, he already does, as does Julia Gillard.
So, it makes you wonder how they would feel holding that baby, looking into the eyes of his mother while a translator explained that this tiny helpless child, smaller than what we would call premature, is actually 18 months old, his size due to severe malnutrition.
How would Julia feel when told that if that baby doesn’t improve by a certain point his nutrition supplements will have to be cut off, simply because there isn’t enough aid to go around?
Imogen Bailey on Go Back To Where You Came from
And what about the rest of us?
I believe Australians are compassionate human beings. I believe that if they knew more about the true plight of people like those I met in Somalia, Ethiopia and Indonesia, more would stand up and say ‘hey, Julia, you are doing us a disservice.
We don’t want to be the racist country on the parody map that circulates on Facebook anymore. We want to be humanitarian leaders. It’s time we did more’.
And while we have your attention Julia ‘why do we never hear you say asylum seekers are not criminals, or that it is not illegal to seek asylum in Australia? And what about the fact that we only take 2 per cent of the refugees in the world?’
We don’t hear these points because they don’t make us mad. They don’t fire us up and give the Gillards and the Abbotts the playing field to provide us with ‘policies’ that appease false concern, which in-turn win them votes. Bloody-ballot papers are what this is about.
Even I could make that supposition standing on the beach in my old bikini. I’m also qualified in marketing so I could also have come up with the ‘boat people’ campaign – it’s a slogan and unfortunately this is what politics has been dumbed down to.
This is what they think of us as ‘intelligent Australians’. They feed us these political bogan slogans and stir up the storm.
The price of this political mess is not only the lives of the asylum seekers, it is the price of our reputation as a nation, and it’s not something I am afraid to say anymore.
This experience for me was like being hit with a gigantic hammer right in the guts. I’ve had my Ally McBeal dancing baby moment and although the baby has a different agenda to Ally’s, the baby just wont shut up. It shows up in the corner of my room at night and it points its finger at me and says ‘now you know’.
Imogen Bailey on Go Back To Where You Came From
I feel like a completely different person to the woman who got on the plane and arrived in Mogadishu. When I arrived I was scared to my bones – I was scared for my bones.
I never ever want to be that close to guns. I never want to drive down a street with the fear in my belly that a bomb could go off any second. Thankfully, I probably won’t have to.
The reality of this debate is there are children and families living in horrific circumstances. They are desperate. It is real. They are not illegals. They do not all come by boat. Life out there and off our shores is riddled with terror and corruption beyond our comprehension.
So, before you make up your mind I beg you to look at the closest child to you, perhaps yours or a relative and ask yourself ‘what would I do for you?’ I can guarantee you the answer is anything, because we are human.
There will always be bad seeds; there will always be people who do the wrong thing. We cannot allow important decisions to be based on a minority and propaganda. For those of us that are already sympathetic I urge you to do your part too – get educated and be a voice.
Imogen Bailey is an actor, former model, and animal rights activist. Imogen was one of six participants to take part in the SBS documentary series Go Back to Where You Came From, airing Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 August 2012 at 8.30pm on SBS ONE.
Were you watching Go Back to Where You Came From last night? What did you think?
Comments
137 Comments so far
Well done Imogen. I thought you were magnificent on that show. As Australians we are among the richest, luckiest people in the world. If we behave so meanly to refugees how can we expect really poor countries to behave? Strength to you.
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How many can we take- we are a large country but limited resources.
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Imogen, I want to also say you are now pretty much on the top of my admired list. You are graceful, thoughtful, truthful and kind. So impressed by you – every time you were on TV I would say to my husband “Isn’t she amazing?”. Good on you and thank you.
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I may be a lone voice on this, but I began to like Peter Reith through watching this show. His personal distress at the individual circumstances of the people he met and saw in Kabul was evident – as was his very real fear for his own safety, which wasn’t quite so endearing. Would I have reacted differently? I don’t know. What he did bring to my understanding of the issues was the difficulty government faces in adequately dealing with it. There are more people in dire, unimaginably bleak circumstances who are desperate to live in Australia than the current population of Australia. We can’t take them all. Even Imogen had to admit on the Insight wrap up that there is a finite number of refugees we can resettle here. That seemed to be the point Peter Reith tried to make, but was never allowed to. Catherine Deveny rudely saw to that. My views on this issue are closer to Catherine Deveny’s than Peter Reith’s, yet I found her rudeness and closed mind very annoying. Peter Reith showed far more courtesy and was more willing to be challenged and answer in a considered manner. Beyond people who try to find refuge on our shores via dangerous boat trips, their are entire countries where tens of millions of people don’t have the opportunity to get to a leaky boat. How do we help the UN help these people? How do we intervene in these humanitarian disasters to improve these horrific situations? How do we get beyond just increasing our refugee intake?
To my mind Alan Asher, Peter Reith and Imogen Bailey were the people who looked at these issues most deeply, but I think even Imogen would do well to stop pointing accusing fingers and start being part of a solution finding movement.
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I am composing my thoughts for this, as it is something that really evokes an emotional response in me, and I will post them later.
But I just wanted to say: Can we please send Bob Katter to the middle east in series 3?
http://cairnsnews.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/australia-has-created-the-worlds-greatest-magnet-for-refugees/
This man makes me vomit a little bit in my mouth every time he opens his. He makes me ashamed to be an Australian.
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Isn’t the underlying issue that we are always motivated by better circumstances? Most of Australians are migrants of some sort, wanting a better life. The assylum seekers are no different.
Life would be better if every country treated people humanely and with mutual concern! But while religious persecution and dictatorships still exist, we also have to take ownership of our own part in this drive to escape these counties. And that is the western infiltration and abuse of these countries to try to make a profit – leaving only poverty and countries stripped of their resources.
In fact how much are we aware about some of these countries inner turmoil being driven by western ‘businesses’ aiming to take advantage? Such as the Hutu and Tootsie genicide in Rawanda?
When asylum seekers land on any western country’s doorstep, all of this is something to think about! We’re being confronted with what we have created through a global society of greed. And the greed continues, whether it be for more money or simply a better life.
I was watching an interesting TED talk by evolutionary biologist Elisabet Sahtouris, where she describes the nature of ‘systems’. She calls this ‘empire building’ phase we’ve been in through the last several hundred years as the ‘immature’ phase, and that it is always superseded by a ‘cooperative phase’ – the mature phase. Its time humanity grew up and learned to cooperate. Because the alternative is extinction for all.
Here is the clip – 19 minutes and a really good piece! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1mvI2hEzlA&feature=share
We’re heading toward a cooperative phase. More sites like the following are emerging, and people are gravitating toward them as they awaken from their mind numbing, tv reality show, video game, stuper.
http://www.mutualresponsibility.org
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We are increasing our refugee intake to 20 000 a year which is fabulous. To those objectors, remember we take 50 000 a year from New Zealand!
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Imogen has been a revelation. She’s honest, straightforward, empathetic and seems so genuine.
I cannot stand Catherine Deveny (sp?) as she is so keen for limelight and seems so calculated in her concern. Imogen on the other hand seems so genuine.
I enjoy the series and loved the first perhaps more as it was real people.
I’m very hopeful that this series will assist us as a country to move forward and appreciate that for some escape cannot consist of getting on a plan and going through ‘proper’ channels as it is simply not an option. We are a huge country with much to offer, and one of those resources we have in such vast quantities should be compassion and asylum.
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If there is some way of keeping us updated on the Khan family, please do so. My heart sinks at the thought of them on a boat or in detention.
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Great show, so very heavy! but we need to open our eyes as you have imogen, it is the real world. You looked in shock for the first day in Mogadishu.
Good on ya Imogen well done
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The thing that gets me the most is that these corrupt governments won’t allow any aid to get to their people. They use it against the people it is intended for. And what is the UN doing? Sure they have that dreadful place in the middle of nowhere but no water? This series is depressing but compelling and I hope to god that the pollies are watching.
Any party that endorses Angry Anderson would have to be insane. Oh that’s right, it’s the Libs.
As for Michael Smith, well unfortunately, there are too many people like him in this country. I hang my head in shame that he is an Australian. He seemed to me to be exploiting those children for the cameras. I’m not sure he is sincere in wanting to adopt Mohammed. I got the impression that he was a bit disappointed that Mohammed’s parents died of illness and not a bomb attack.
Brilliant article, Imogen.
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I’m going anon because I don’t want to be seen as boasting, but I actually signed up to volunteer at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre a couple of months ago and I have my first information session in September. I was kind of going, “mmm, will I actually go? Do I have what it takes to take this on?” But this program has cemented my resolve and I will be going and I will stay open to it. I initially signed up because while I’m passionate about this topic and about human rights, I’ve never actually met anyone who was a refugee (to my knowledge) and I thought more Australians should have a better understanding of what these people experience. Often when you get to know the “other” they stop being so “other”, you know?
So thanks.
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You’re a legend already just for taking that first step. And for committing to following through with it (something I’d probably chicken out on) – you’re a hero in my eyes.
There are times I read this site and get so frustrated… not by the articles but by the comments that seem so intentionally catty and hurtful. I wonder why I even bother.
But then this site alerts me to a show like this that I shamefully would’ve missed; reading comments from people who regardless of their view on asylum seekers and refugees acknowledge as a HUMAN that this is a terrible way to live and provide real options for how I as one little person can try to make a speck of difference.
We are so lucky. I wasn’t even born here and am trying to get home closer to my family but I know how truly blessed I am to live where I do. Sometimes it just takes a big kick in the arse to be reminded of that and trust me… the message has been received loud and clear.
FWP’s… let’s forget about them for even a day? If we all did and focused that effort on stuff that truly matters maybe we could make a huge difference in the lives of just one person.
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I can’t stop thinking about this show and I can’t wait for tonight’s episode. I felt so emotionally drained after a mere two hours so I can’t imagine what the actual experience must have been like.
And you know, I’m known around these parts as someone who’s intolerant of children, but Mohammed broke my heart. I’d give him a home myself, I really would. He was so obviously starved for affection and the thought of a kid that age just being alone in the world is unbearable. It shouldn’t be this way. It was so incredibly moving when he said he just wants to learn to write. I think of Australian kids that age with their tvs and Wii and gadgets and you know, they whinge when they don’t have the latest phone or whatever… I really hope people were encouraging their kids to watch this show.
Well, at risk of being corny, I’m going to say right now that I’m grateful. I’m grateful that I have water, sanitation, heating, food, shelter, clothing, literacy, healthcare, education, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, full rights regardless of gender and a warm, comfortable bed. And a cat.
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I think a truly wonderful thing is that we do hold so much power. We don’t have to wait for politicians to change things – WE can start to change things! Start small – sponsor a child – there are countless marvellous organisations that benefit entire communities not just the child you sponsor. World Vision is well known but there are many others. We have Compassion Children and also donate to Care Australia, which is non religious if that bothers you. We also have many orphan children we sponsor through our church.
I think if we cultivate a lifestyle of giving we can help people at grassroots level. I’m totally for increasing our refugee intake but refuse to sit around waiting for that to happen. My money will change things even now.
Change starts with us.
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Thank you for this article, Imogen. I have to admit, after seeing you on Big Brother all these years ago, I did not have a very high opinion of you. This article has given me a new found respect for you and I would like to apologise for judging you based on a TV program.
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Good on you Imogen for taking the plunge! I’ll be following your longer term action on this issue with great interest. I think you are well placed to make a real difference in getting people to take notice of the plight of Asylum Seekers.
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Anyone who defends the ‘Stop the Boats’ tactics by claiming it’s because they really care about whether or not these people drown at sea is FULL OF SHIT!
If you really cared about stopping people from drowning, why don’t you care about whether they starve to death, are tortured, mutilated, killed? Think that’s more humane?
Nah, you just don’t want them dying on your turf.
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great job imogen.
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We need more people like imogen genuine
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Its all very sad, I feel awful for anyone under threat from the Taliban. I also am aware that Australia donates $5billion dollars a year to foreign aid and is doing their part tomirradicate the Taliban.
But if I’m honest, I do not like the boat people situation at all. I blame our pathetically mismanaged government. When John Howard was in office ther were very few boats compared to now, less lives at risk and less non genuine refugees coming to our shores. I don’t trust that the system catches the non refugees, I don’t want our population to explode either. I’d rather take educated hard working immigrants any day over some questionable refugees whom can’t be properly identified.
There are so many countries with really screwed up government and leadership, so many with corruption who will not help their own. For example, Somalia. No government in decades, lots of violent crime. Just take the piracy of the Suez Canal which sees private and commercial vessels held to ransom by Somalians.
My sister works with a dozen or so Somalians, they have had incidents with machetes in the workplace. Terrifying. It’s all well and good to want to help but unfortunately bringing people into our country who have only known violence and expecting them to adopt our way of thinking without any negative side effects is really short sighted. I’m all for helping, but I’m not for bringing these people here to put our own citizens at risk. Build shelters and safe communities in their own lands, don’t destroy our way of life.
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I think that’s a pretty blanket statement to make about Somalians and violence. There are plenty of Aussies that grow up experiencing horrific violence too! The majority of Somalians are not violent people and just want somewhere peaceful to live! I really don’t think its realistic to say they would destroy our way of life.
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Pfffft!! Yeah, not welcome here because they are different & black???
Howard was a bastard, and he didn’t stop the boats, they stopped because of external reasons. When the boats dont stop now, despite the Govt adopting Abbotts preferred off shore processing, what will be his excuse for the non cessation of arrivals ?
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Beautiful piece, Imogen. And I’m impressed to read you’re also an animal rights activist. The frustration I feel at people’s ignorance on asylum seekers is the same as how I feel about their ignorance on factory farming. But that’s an off-topic rant for another day.
Thanks for writing.
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Thank you so much for writing this piece imogen. I luckily heard your interview with tom n Alex yesterday morning and you echoed my sentiments exactly in a few things you mentioned. I don’t understand why we have policies allowing so many privileged people migrate from overseas where there are much more acceptable standards of living and yet can only take in so little refugees who are desperate for our help.
To me it has always seemed like such an obvious solution to avoid ‘overcrowding’ that so many people see it as and reduce migration rates to allow for more refugees.
I watch the show in hope that there is a turn around in attitude, from the other guests and from the public.
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I live In a low income area that has a high African refugee population. The problems here are now so great that a lot of people are forced to move. Crime has increased dramatically and violent assaults are commonplace. The young boys drink all day and hoon in cars into the night.
I often wonder if those so in favour of further refugee intake would like to come and stay with me for a week.
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I also live in a low socioeconomic area. There is a high white Australian bogan population. Crimes in my area are so great I actually can’t walk down the street at night. The bogans drink all day and drag race down the great western highway at night.
I wonder if those in favour of pure racism would like to come and live with me for a week.
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I feel really sorry for the women and children, but my sympathy for the men is much less. If you really need to leave why cross so many boarders and pay criminals to jump on a leaky boat? Why not just catch a plane? Why not be legit and wait your turn?
Do these women and children who truly are in harms way come alone and make this journey by themselves? Isn’t that frowned upon for a Muslim woman to be independent and flee on her own? I’m not being rude, I haven’t seen the show so I don’t know.
As for the comment above, that is also my main concern. Anyone been following all the crime, shootings and bashings in Auburn, Punchbowl, Bankstown, Lakemba, Greystains, Guilford? All are from Middle Eastern crime. 10 shootings in the last 2 weeks alone. The police even have a specific task force just for middle eastern crime. Their propensity for violence terrifies me, the way the protest in the detention centers makes me cranky. The fact that they want to change our way of life pisses me off! I am deeply concerned by the huge influx of middle eastern men in my community, I don’t feel safe.
My fiend lives in the middle east, she doesn’t go there asking them to change for her, she follows their rules and doesn’t drive, she covers up. What infuriates me and many people I hear talking about the boat people is that they expect us to change to accommodate them. I believe in equality for all, that means if you live here you don’t expect better treatment or special rules because of your religion. You don’t get more money from centrelink than an elderly Australian who has paid taxes. Fit in, adopt OUR ways. Become an Australian and teach your sons that violence is wrong.
Any man coming on a boat who has deliberately thrown his identification overboard has done so to hide the fact that he is not really a refugee. I’m sad to see so many bleeding hearts being led by sad imagery. We have to be smart and take in real refugees, sadly I feel most that come by boat are not genuine.
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I suggest you watch the show.
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wait their turn??? I work in employment services in an area with a relatively high African refugee population. One client of mine waited in a refugee camp for TEN years!!! He sold everything he owned, including his SHOES, to try to get enough food to eat for himself and his daughter. His wife died. He now has to have stomach surgery as his stomach is badly damaged from eating DIRT for years. if only he could have gotten in a leaky boat and come here sooner.
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I second that. Watch the show, I think (hope) your perspective might change if you do.
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These people come without identification more due to the fact they dont have any in their home country. Alot of these “boat people” have no other way to travel, as without passports etc they cannot travel via plane. Without Embassies in their countries they cannot seek assylum in their own countries.
The refugees are usually refugees as they are persecuted by their government in their home country, so applying for identification papers, passports etc is impossible. They are desperate for their lives.
Yes they travel through alot of countries to arrive in Australia, but as most of the countries they have to travel through, have the same “sects” that they run from, they cannot stay there for fear of their lives. These people see Australia as an accepting country who can help them. I feel proud that that is their expectation, and sad that it doesn’t appear to be the reality.
Political ruling over if the boats are accepted etc doesn’t enter in to these peoples travelling here. They dont know about our political discussions about turning around the boats. Our Political policies are not televised in the countries these people run from. They come more now than before because there is more persecution than before. Not because of what party is setting the rules.
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I find your comment ‘we have to be smart’ extremely ironic considering how you do not even bother to get the facts right. You come across as extremely ignorant and uninformed. Can you seriously not understand that you can’t just get on a plane?! Can you not understand that it isn’t a case of ‘waiting your turn’ as there is no little orderly line. The vast majority of Middle Eastern people coming to Australia are immigrants not refugees.
No one is getting better treatment because of their religion?! Where are you getting this from?! Refugees are not getting more money than pensioners! In fact most are on Newstart Allowance which is much LESS than pensioners.
You ‘feeling’ most that come by boat are not genuine does not make it true. Do you really think people pay criminals their entire savings and jump on a tiny cramped wooden boat if they’re not desperate?!
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The people who are crowing about “queue jumping”, “proper channels” and so on just prove how ignorant they are about their own privilege. FFS, do you really think these people have what we have? That they can just waltz into an embassy and no worries? What is it you don’t understand about the fact that often these people have no access to legitimate process? Or that these processes even exist for them. And how do you know these people haven’t tried to do it that way first and, as upthread, been stuck in a godforsaken camp for ten years while their family dies around them?
Jesus.
And the “oh, we can’t go letting everyone in!” strawman argument. No-one’s saying that. But everyone has the right to seek asylum, plead their case, appeal if they wish. Of course there are going to be dodgy applicants. There are dodgy people in every group, including our own. I don’t think anyone’s naive enough to think otherwise.
As Abdi and the people from the Melbourne Hazara community have shown in this documentary, these people often become productive and valuable members of society. They just want what we want. Safety, peace and the ability to earn a living. How evil of them.
And the papers argument. Unbelievable. Amidst war, famine, disease, weather-event displacement and so on, is it really such a foreign concept that a legitimate refugee might lose some papers. You think people living in suburban Melbourne don’t lose important documents? Oh, I guess that’s different. It’s ok if that happens due to moving house or something but if you’ve got a gun to your head it isn’t? Can you see the massive logic fail there?
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Oh Diana, You made me giggle with the moving house thing!
Its amazing how people just can’t fathom how difficult life must be when you are constantly fearing for your life.
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Well said, Diana The Huntress… I take my hat off to you. My husband family came to Australia in 1974 from Chile to fled from Pinochet regime, as my late father in law was involved in the opposition political party and he feared for his and his family life . A lot of their friends was executed or gone missing during the regime (about 3000 people was executed and another 1000 still missing ). My in laws and my husband ( he was only 3 then) came to Australia with 2 suitcases, $300 USD in their pocket and no knowledge of the English language. They had to learn how to speak English, and retrained in their profession (They were in the medical profession back in Chile). It was hard for them, but they persevere and so grateful that Australia had given them citizenship. My in law end up being quite successful in both their career, raised 2 sons that finished their university degrees and become accomplished businessmen.
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Too Concerned your reply shows that you’re full of ignorance. You generalize about all people from the middle east as if it was one country and that everyone there had the same beliefs and values.
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So what’s your point? We have enough social problems and we don’t want anymore? Or we already have social problems so lets just add some more? Seems to me we can’t fix the significant problems we already have.
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Where do you live?! My good friend who is Sudanese and a refugee told me that there are problems with some young men in the Sudanese community but they’re not refugees. Instead they are immigrants and children of wealthy Sudanese diplomats and politicians. He says their parents pay for them to come to Australia but because they’re wealthy and do not have to work they cause trouble. The Sudanese community is ashamed by this minority of troublemakers as most Sudanese are just trying to get on with living their lives. I have many friends of African descent and they’re all incredible people who have overcome horrific backgrounds to be where they are now. Your comment makes me really angry actually as you are painting ALL ‘African refugees’ with the same brush. It is an excellent example of the racism and ignorance rife in Australia.
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I felt that Peter Reith having to hear Rezi’s story was poetic justice.
I still don’t like the people transport trade, or the fact that I feel desperate people are taken advantage of by it, but seeing how abysmal conditions are in the camps I can see what drives some.
Who knows what the answers are.
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You know, although I share most of her politics, I’m not generally a fan of Catherine Deveny’s aggressive communication style. But I have to say watching this, she’s the one out of the three on her team who seems most willing to “walk the talk” and isn’t too proud to show exactly how she’s feeling. Now, obviously because of editing and the inability to read minds I don’t know if the picture we’re getting of Peter Reith is accurate, but if it is, I hope he’s embarrassed.
The charitable side of me thinks there was a glimmer of emotion under the surface when he was talking about Rezi, but who knows. He seems so desperate to save face with his repeated uttering of, “we stopped the boats” but I can’t tell if that’s because he *is* ashamed but doesn’t want to appear weak or if he really is just that clueless about his privilege and his responsibility. I mean, kudos to the guy for being involved in this project but I kind of have to wonder why he bothered.
Angry could go either way. I’ve always thought he seemed like a guy with a big heart but his pompous speech at the start has left me with a sour taste.
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My brother had a really good point… Why did that conservative ‘shock jock’ tool have his mobile on him when they make such a big deal of handing phones/wallets and passports over??
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There was mention that they felt it would be safer and more secure for them to have them back at one point last night.
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I am really sorry Imogen.
When I heard you were going to be on the show I greatly misjudged you. I thought you would be a began, uneducated beach babe. And you showed how wise and caring and compassionate you are.
This show breaks my heart. We should do more. So much more.
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bogan… autochange!
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Thank you for this post.
I watched the show last night and my eyes welled up with tears multiple times. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and all I wanted to do today was talk about it. I think I asked every person I spoke to at uni if they watched it. I can’t wait for tonight’s episode. In my opinion, this should be aired on every network, at the same time, so EVERYone is forced to watch it.
As an anthropology student and an aspiring cultural anthropologist, this show meant so much to me.
What is just so astounding is the fact that this is our world. We co-exist with the people in these countries, and the sort of violence and corruption we saw last night was only a small part of what these humans experience on a day to day basis. It is just unfathomable.
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What is missed by this great show & the one viewpoint shown is that it should NOT be all about Australia taking in refugees rather it should be about corrupt Islamic countries and goverments that do have available millions that is spent on guns / explosives and millitary training , rather than on their own! How about these Muslim leaders spend some Saudi money to save their own peoples rather than continue to try and build the super armies so that one day “all will speak arabic!” Look at how much good the Saudi money given to Indionesia for toy guns to indoctrinate kids, that could have gone into improving hospitals & clean water supplies ! The Islamic 3rd world deserves the misery the clerics choose for the followers = end of story sorry ! We are the lucky country however we should all try to make fellow Global Village comrades similar to our hard fought ways not just explode our already overcrowded ( for infrastructure ) cites with many who resent our values & lifestyle via beliefs.
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Because we don’t have the power to change what some of those governments do. But we do have the power to tell our own elected, democratic government what we want.
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Never judge a book by its cover. Just as Imogen has revealed a true depth of character, insight and empathy both on the show and in this article, the tweet of the night must go to Anthony Callea for – “#gobacksbs should be on every station at the exact same time so EVERYONE has no choice but to watch it!”
If only this were possible! As so many have said, one of the tragedies is that the people who most need to see this show are exactly the people least likely to be watching…
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I cried several times during the show last night, life is so unfair. Imogen you did a fabulous thing by committing to the show, and your writing is powerful, many thanks. I just hope enough racist ‘boat haters’ watch the show and are able to broaden their thinking… one can only hope. We are truly blessed in Australia and it is well past the time for us to step up and show some compassion.
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I have travelled to over 80 countries and as I always say- the way we live in Australia is ABnormal. It is not the global norm. We have NO idea how lucky we are, we really don’t.
Our whole immigration system is arrogant and superfluous.
Even as an Australian born, ‘white anglo’ citizen, – the Aussie sterotype, I am also experiencing the worst side of Australia.
I am only newly married and a few weeks after our wedding, my husband had to depart Australia due to his visa. We have known each other for over 11 years, dated for 4, and he has been to Australia many times with his work previously, yet due to ONE person on a power trip- ironically, an immigrant herself, he was put on a restricted- no further stay, visa.
We willl have to wait up to one year for his spousal visa to be approved! Due to his visa condition we were not even allowed to submit the paperwork whilst he was on shore!!
The documentation and vetting is intrusive- some information was so sensitive it was concering, and I raised this with immigration.
Both my husband and I understand and respect that background checks need to be conducted for a person planning to live with his Australian wife in Australia, but it is the manner in which they are conducted which is offensive.
I am currently living in my husbands country, purely so we can do what every other married couple does- be together. I will have to return to Australia soon- I need to work, set up a proper home, we want to start a family etc, but how do we do that when we are being torn apart purely due to where my husband was born??
We are both university educated with global work experience, amicable, community oriented people who want to contribute to society, and have a track record of already doing so. All we can do is hope that by some miracle his visa will come through very quickly- and campaign for it to do so.
The Australian embassy here told me they usually have everything approved within 6 weeks, it is immigration in Australia that delays it for one year. What does that tell you?
As I am overseas, I have not viewed this years version on GBTWYCF, but loved last years season.
Embarrisngly, the notion of fairplay in Australia has been usurped by ‘Bravo Boganism’.
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Oh Wasp, I so totally understand what you’re going through!
Being from a country with one of the best welfare systems in the world I nearly laughed out loud when it was insinuated I only wanted to live in Australia to sponge of the system. I was made to feel like a criminal because I had chosen not to invest financially in a relationship that mightn’t have been allowed to continue due to immigration.
Our case officer, also an immigrant having a bad day, ended up rejecting my application, I went home and we later married and tried again.
Meanwhile my sister-in-law from Canada fell pregnant, got married, had the baby and was instantly granted permanent residency. She didn’t even have to wait two years after getting temporary residency…
My thoughts ate with you, I hope you succeed!!!
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It certainly did. Have had residency for five years now.
It helped that we had all our old papers including the nasty letter I sent the immigration office after being rejected (oops). Also showing that our relationship continued eventhough we weren’t allowed to stay together in Australia.
Finally the new case officer was recommended to me and had a completely different approach. As sad as it sounds, it seems to pay off to know someone who knows someone.
Keep the faith and make a baby, that seems to help
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Thank you DKMUM!
I hope all worked out in the end.
These events for your sister in law, occured in Australia? re no temporary visa etc..
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Yes, the child was conceived in Australia and they married when pregnant, then moved to Canada to have the baby, and came back here when he was about one. At some stage she got her residency, I think after having gotten married, but it could have been upon their return to Oz. The father is Australian.
As far as I’m aware she only had a tourist visa to begin with, which is the same as what I had. We’ve then applied for spousal visas after getting married, and been put on bridging visas in the meantime
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Because of the ‘no further stay’,we could not start the application process when he was with me. He had to leave exactly one month after our wedding! ALL due to one woman on a power trip who imposed that clause…. She didn’t even give him the standard 3 months- it was less than 2. It is very hard to set up a normal, married life- like so many would take for granted when we are being kept apart. We got married to be together, not to be on different continents- 24 hours away! Sorry- very frustrated.
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last night when i watched sbs with shock and pain, my brother in law, who is australian repeatedly said “who the f**k cares? i dont care if you die, dont come to my country”. i cried last night, because i cannot comprehend this lack of compassion, this hatred. the point of this documentary was perspective. it did not mean we bring all refugees to australia and collapse this country, it was about showing that things are not black and white. unfortunately, it took one australian to make me feel i dont belong here, even though i came here “legally” and fell in love with australia, met loads of lovely australians that didnt notice the colour of my skin. it took one Australian and his hatred, to make me cry myself to sleep last night.
i dont mean to go off topic, my point was there is so much hatred in people and if documentaries like this cant change that, what can?
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Rima I’m so sorry that your BIL is so insensitive. Please don’t waste anymore tears on this person.
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thank you : )
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I’m sorry, Rima. Your BIL sounds like an ass.
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thank you…on a day the world seems darker than it is…thank you ….
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You’re very welcome, I hope you feel better.
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I love this show so much and it bothers me that it’s on SBS so the vast majority of people who need to see it never will.
Lovely piece Imogen.
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A great and timely documentary.
Well done, Imogen, for your courage and grace.
What are your plans now? How will you continue to “be a voice”?
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I watched with tears in my eyes while breastfeeding my baby boy. You ask “what would I do for you (my child)?”… Anything and everything.
So powerful to watch those poor families over the other side of the world that in many ways are so similar to the rest of us, Doing the best they can for their children.
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Such an enlightening show.
Michael Smith seemed stuck on the idea that if you do something ‘illegal’ you’re a write-off.
His dogmatic stance of not accepting any ‘excuses’, not wanting to deal with something that’s not his problem, his complete lack of empathy and his misguided focus on irrelevant details were astounding.
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It’s not even an illegal action. Everyone has a basic human right enshrind in the UN Human Rights Convention to be able to seek political asylum in another country if they have a fear of persecution. Not illegal.
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I think this is the first time I have been able to put my hand on my heart and say, “I very much agree with the political sentiments of that former beach babe!”
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Imogen, you were such a breath of fresh air.
I honestly did not know what your stance was going to be prior to watching the show, but after watching it (and reading this very eloquent article) I have such immense respect for you. It really is one thing to have a view, but to take the steps and find out what these people are going through is not something most people would want to do, for this I admire you greatly.
As for Michael Smith…well and truly a racist scumbag with no compassion at all. Disgusting person.
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I watched this last night and was affected by all the participants. BUT you were a shining light. This is such a heated topic and I hope that your input to this show will help change some people minds IF not educate them. I will continue to watch and enjoy your journey. Michael Smith not so much. I just hope that this changes him in some way and he becomes compassionate.
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Michael Smith is bad for my blood pressure!
Apparently it’s just shitty bad luck that these thousands and thousands of people were born where they were. Not our problem, let them figure it out.
Would you say the same thing to a person with a disability Michael?
My 13 year old sister was sitting beside me watching this and was just outraged that someone could have such selfish views on life. Surely if a 13 year old sees that it’s wrong, he could too?
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Totally agree!! Just wanted to smack this guy in the head, with so many other people!
Bet it would be a totally different opinion from him if the shoe was on the other foot.
Incredibly, incredibly selfish man. All the characteristics of a shock jock…
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What really bothered me was the way he picked up all the children (a real “Oh look at me with the little black babies in Africa”), which in my view, was for the cameras and then spoke to the camera afterwards in one of the tents saying he basically didn’t care. What a disgrace. This guy can’t see outside of his own ego and his own circumstances – he must feel that he is so above these people and this is why is unable to empathise only sympathise. There is a huge difference between the two and a bit of empathy would do him the world of good if he actually considered this happening to HIM and HIS family. I hope he gets sacked for his horrible personality.
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Thanks for a great article Imogen. I had to turn it off at one point as I was so furious at Michael and Peter.
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Really well written Imogen. I wish I hadn’t missed the show last night, will have to catch-up online.
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Eloquently written Imogen. Congratulations for having the guts to undertake the journey that you did. It shows real character.
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OMG I so could not believe that ‘shock jock’ – sitting in the paper/plastic tent in Mogadishu, surrounded by poverty and desperation – and he STILL didn’t get it.
Am desperately hoping he changes his tune but somehow I seriously doubt it.
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Initally I thought the same thing, but then I realised he’s just plain ol’ rascist. How else can you explain this?!
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He’s just loving the attention I think. Disgusting individual!
If the experience he had there won’t change his views, nothing will.
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Shame they couldn’t organize a swap. I wonder how fast he’d care if he was stuck in that situation…
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I actually think he’s a narcissist in the clinical, diagnostic sense of the word. I don’t think a ‘normal’ person could lack empathy the way he does and say the kind of things he says. He makes Peter Reith look compassionate.
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Good on you, Imogen. I totally understand what you’re saying about people dismissing your right to have a strong political opinion, because of your job, gender, age, looks, etc. I’m guilty and I’m sorry: When I saw the amount of makeup you were wearing I immediately thought, ‘Guess she just wanted to be on a reality series to get some media exposure.’
I sincerely apologise for the judgement: Your sincerity shone through last night and in this piece. Thank you for caring about these people enough to take the risks you have (both travelling to Mogadishu and facing the critics back home!)
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I wish I knew this was on last night so I could make my partner watch it. He’s only just come around to the comprehension that asylum seekers aren’t illegal and I’d love for him to be educated by a show like this who I’m sure will explain the entire issue so much better than I can. We’ll be watching tonight at least.
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You can watch last nights episode online!
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Strangely I don’t know that I necessarily blame the politicians on either side for this horrific issue. I blame the media. It is the media that has consistently for two decades waged the misinformation war on the Australian public leading the overwhelming majority to incorrectly believe that we are being ‘swamped’ by boats carrying ‘rich’ queue jumping immigrants from third world countries that aren’t true refugees. It is an absolute disgrace.
A few years ago an ivy league (I can’t remember which one, I think it was Stanford) did a massive research project into misinformation from cable news in America. What they found was that people who regularly consumed Fox News held views that were astoundingly incorrect or formed on baseless, disproved facts. These people genuinely believed they were correct. That Barack Obama in fact was a Muslim. That America had one of the best health care systems in the world (Cuba has better health care). And yes, the easy target here is to blame people for their ignorance but who is holding the media accountable?
I found it breathtaking when I read this article to see that Australia grants asylum to 2 per cent of the world’s refugees. But you know what? That’s incorrect. We don’t take 2 per cent of the world’s refugees. We take 0.2 per cent. “Australia was ranked 47th, hosting 22,548 refugees between 2005 and 2009 (0.2 per cent of the global total).” ( UNHCR’s ’2009 Global Trends’ Report).
I do believe that the majority of Australian’s are compassionate people and that compassion does not end with the colour of someones skin, their ethnicity, their religion, their socio-economic status. But I also believe that the majority of Australian’s believe that we are being overrun with boats washing up on every shore filled with deviant immigrants from the middle east who are just here to receive a handout and segregate into their own communities.
And you know what, while there are some moronic pollies who spout these views (yes you Katter, yes you Joyce, yes you Mirabella) these nitwits would say almost anything to create a stir. All three of you will do very well as AM shock-jocks when you finally loose your seats.
You know why we have a global reputation for being racists? Because granting refugee asylum is almost a non-issue in every other country around the world. And we are up in arms, spending precious time in parliament that could be dedicated to bettering education, health care, environmental reform screeching over taking 0.2 per cent of the worlds refugee intake.
It is not a war on boats. It is a war on misinformation.
It makes me so ashamed.
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I could not agree more with everything you said. Bravo.
In the second verse of our national anthem….
“for those who come across the sea, we’ve boundless plains to share, with courage let us all combine to advance Australia fair”
Remember that national identity that we think we have of giving everyone a fair go, and being egalitarian. Let’s find it again.
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My daughter sings both verses of the National Anthem each Thursday with her school at assembly. My heart catches each and every time I sing along. I can’t wait to watch tonight’s episode.
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Couldnt agree more, and not just in relation to this issue.
I previously worked as an advisor to a Government Minister and yes, whilst we were certainly guilty of spin at times, there were also times we fought hard with the media to get the correct story out there. The reason pollies talk in sound bites is because (often) when they give a decent explanation, a short part of it is taken out of context and replayed to death.
I dont absolve polticians of all guilt in this debate – I’d love to see one stand up and talk to the facts, but there is no doubt the media bear responsibility as well.
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Best post I have ever read on this website. You are absolutely spot on that this is media driven and the politicians just play the game and cater to the lowest common denominator in our society who roll around in this crap and believe that it is all true. I used to think Angry Anderson was a good guy who was out to help his community, particularly troubled youth, but he is a bigot and just accepts the crap the media shove down our throats without ANY kind of actual research or true understanding of the facts.
I am embarassed by the ignorance and lack of compassion demonstrated by Anderson and that tool Michael Smith in just one episode. If only we could DEPORT idiots like them to amars along with all the other bigots who comment on those dreadful FB pages about “stop the illegal boat people”.
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jen, i have copied and pasted your whole comment into my Facebook. You are absolutely right. I thank you for your eloquence. Reminds me of a not so eloquent picture I posted once on my page
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Interesting…. It’s biased on both sides. This show is so full of straw man fallacies and emotive language I had to turn it off. I’d rather do my own research and visit a refugee camp which I’ve done. Funny all the refugees I spoke to told me “boat” people aren’t real refugees but people with $$……
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How does $$… mean ‘boat people’ (a term I hate!) are not ‘real refugees’. Having money bears no relavance on whether someone has reason to seek asylum. What it tells me is that they are in such desparate situations, they are willing to risk their life savings on the glimmer of hope of making it to Australia.
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Go back was brilliant last night! Imogen you are really brave to bare witness for us and to slap us out of complacency. The “What can I do?” desperation I feel about this often means I do nothing. Consider me awake!
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Did anyone see Sunday Night last week. That is the reality of most of the boat people. They admit freely that they are economic refugees seeking a wealthier life, and are willing to pay criminals handsomely to get what they seek.
The producers of ‘go back to where you came from’ clearly had an agenda to push from the start, so hand picked those refugees to best ‘sell’ their agenda. You could have just as easily made the show profiling those families that are purely coming here for economic reasons.
We have to admit the reality. Yes we have an international obligation to take refugees. And we should also be able to call for the stopping of this insidious trade in human life run by criminals that results in hundreds of deaths without being called racist or redneck in the process.
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No, I dsagree. What you describe is not the “reality of most boat people.” Did you not see all the Hazara men in Dandenong? *That* is the reality of most people who fell persecution and come here by boat.
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Sunday Night also had a clear agenda in who they chose to speak to and what aspects they chose to represent. YOu get more viewers if you confirm people’s fears rather than challenge them.
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‘Sunday Night’ also has an agenda to push. How disingenuous to assert that it’s only SBS with an agenda!
And I guess those 3500 starving families in the tent city in Mogadishu were ‘hand-picked’ by the producers?? Clearly extras, all of them.
I’ll tell my Somalian students who watched their families being murdered with machetes that they are economic refugees. I’m sure they will find that enlightening.
P.S. I know I’ve responded in a totally reactionary manner and that “anon” said “most” and I should respond with facts, not emotion, but I get sick of having this debate with people who get their “facts” from ACA/T/T/Sunday Night!
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It’s people that believe those shows who warranted the inverted commas written around ‘intelligent Australians’ in Imogen’s article. Do you seriously believe everything you see on those fear-mongering programs? Sunday Night is as bad as ACA and T/T. It scares me that, despite being discredited, people are still going on about the trashmedia allegation that Refugees get double what pensioners do, and all the other rubbish they spout that gets gobbled up. They feed the fears, they incite outrage, they alter your perspective in only negative ways. Please consider seeking truth and facts before believing what those programs claim as gospel.
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Thanks alyssakt, you said exactly what I was thinking!
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Please refer to the picture I have posted.
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There are indeed both types arriving by boat. The problem is figuring out who is who.
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Why does it matter?
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So we can direct resources to those who really are seeking asylum.
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It totally matters. Have you forgotten September 11?
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Um, 9/11? Are you joking, “Concerned too”? The people who did that were NOT refugees. 15 of the 19 were Saudi nationals and NONE of them were fleeing starvation or in fear for their lives. I think you are not “concerned” at all. I think you simply love indulging your prejudices.
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Hehe. I didn’t even respond to the 9/11 comment because it was so moronic I assumed it was a troll.
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I don’t recall that any of the terrorists involved in 9/11, at any point in time arrived in America as asylum seekers by way of boat…..
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What a wonderful article!!! More of this and less of the “is breast best / does childcare ruin children” type rubbish please
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Brilliant, brilliant and brilliant. This is such a beautifully written piece Imogen, straight from the heart, based on truth and that makes it powerful. I hope many read it, and are as a result more informed and inspired to act. For those who are informed may it do what it did for me, give a much needed kick up the pants to start using my voice more. Politicians need to be held accountable and making people aware of truth is a great place to start!
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