Nauru political leader speaks out on Aussie asylum seekers
The leader of Nauru’s Centre Party – an independent party that plays the role of the “bridge” between government and opposition – says that if asked, his nation would be keen to assist with Australia’s worsening refugee situation.
Godfrey Thoma, the former immigration minister who dealt with the Howard government when the Nauru refugee processing centre was first opened, believes that the island nation still presents Australia with the best option to address the current problems.
“What is happening at the (Australian asylum seeker) front is horrifying. Comparably, establishing a camp in Nauru provides a far safer haven for the temporary settlement of asylum seekers,” he said.
Mr Thoma said that if Prime Minister Julia Gillard was to approach Nauru, she would find an even better solution than before. “I am confident we could operate the centres more effectively this time due to our experience.”
His concern is driven by compassion and an acute awareness of the many who are risking – and losing – their lives in their quest to resettle in Australia. “I feel that after recent events, there is now a greater need for the Nauru camp to be re-opened.”
“Our culture embraces Christianity regardless of what religion others practise and we therefore would give good care and shelter to those in need,” Mr Thoma said.
In the past refugees were driven to suicide attempts and mental illness in Nauru. Naruans are only interested in making money from Australia. They should stay out of Australia’s politics. Nauru will do anything for a dollar, look at their record. They should try to have some integrity and make money honestly rather than preying on people fleeing from war. Ask the refugees who were there what went on and how they felt about the island prison where they were held for years – they are still haunted by the memory. There is nothing compassionate about trying to make money in this way.
Preying? You are an Idiot!
And who drove them to suicide attempts? Australia!! The reluctance of Australia to give them refugee status after years of investigating them and found them clean!! They said the process will be quick and everyone would be relocated in less than a year! But no.. Still Australia left them on Nauru for years! Australia is interested only in using Nauru by paying bottom dollar! Australia.. shove off to East Timor and spend your bottom dollar there!!
Harry Kingston,
If you really think about it, refugees are taken to Nauru to be process. Background check plus the validity of their claims as Asylum Seekers. You don’t process people in 5 star hotels. I believe they were given their basic human necessity, that’s free food, shelter, education and health care. Tell me what more could one want/need. Refugees should be grateful of what was given to them for free especially considering the environment they came from.
Nauru is not meddling with Australian politics. As members of the global community it is simply offering the best solution to the situation at hand. Do not forget where the Australian dollar’s rise came from!! It was after geological rape of Nauru that Australia realised its economic success. Settling this debt with a mere $107k is at best ‘injustice to your fellow neighbour’ Take it or leave it, its your loss and the multitudes on high seas that will be realised. Nauru has nothing to lose without any assylum seeker camp. About the history of those who were processed through the Nauru centres, These committed criminal acts against the Nauruan people, yet they get defended and the Nauruan people bear the shame unlawfully. Think before you post any comments..
Get real mate! putting a hand up to offer in this perishing and terrifying ordeal is simply caring. No-one has an option here. Domestic politics is one thing if that is so much of your concern but having to lose lives that has drawn global concern warrants intervention.
From a different perspective, to talk to refugees as you indicated is a measure of success to the program that was conducted on Nauru then. Nauru is a mined out tiny island with a population of app. 13,000 people very little was received in compensation for the environmental damage that is left behind.