I continue to speak about (our treatment of refugees) because it is more than a discussion about how we treat refugees: it is now a question about what sort of people we are. Are we a nation that will knowingly mistreat people who have committed no offence, and have done nothing worse than try to escape persecution? I wish every Australian would ask themselves those questions, because I still believe Australians are, at heart, decent and generous. Our wilful mistreatment of refugees is largely a result of political opportunism: we have been misled by politicians who tell us that boat people are “illegal”, and that our harsh laws are protecting us from criminals. But it is a lie. And still I am dedicated to the task of leading us back to the truth. The task is bigger than I imagined, back in 2001. But I know that, with my last breath, I will not have to say, “I wish I had done something”. I will be able to say, “At least I tried”. Now is the time for us all to stand up for Justice.

Julian Burnside:

http://bit.ly/1Gx82sm