We applaud ‘The Age’ for publishing the inspiring article titled ‘Samuels story’ ( The Age, Friday 6th May 2011, HERE ).
Samuel Venansio is an example of a successful Sudanese migrant to Australia and a wonderful human being.
However, we are astounded with the comments of the former Federal Immigration Minister, Mr Kevin Andrews, that he does not regret what he said in 2007 ( HERE ) that Sudanese do not settle well into Australian life and therefore intake from places such as Sudan should be cut back. What is even more distressing is the evidence that was presented that these comments had affected policy and migration from Sudan has indeed been decreasing.
Mr Andrews was then quoted as saying: “…I suppose my disappointment is that here we are four years later and we don’t seem to have achieved very much over that period of time…” and that he did not regret raising the issues he did.
This is truly astounding. What is in fact regrettable is that 4 years on Mr Andrews has not changed his views in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Just a week ago, The Age reported that the Immigration Department had published a report which found that African migrants have the highest uptake of employment of all migrants ( Katharine Murphy ‘African most likely to gain work’ The Age 29th April 2011, HERE ). Eritreans and Somalis were among the most integrated of all ethnic groups. Although initially refugees are more dependent on centre link payments, over a 5 year period refugees reduce their dependence on benefits and find jobs, particularly after two years of settlement. It found that they participate strongly in further education upon their arrival in Australia (more than half can speak English four years after their arrival) and are comparable to the Australian born population in terms of trade skills and university qualifications. The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, Kate Lundy went on to say: ”This report embarks on some serious myth busting about poor settlement outcomes for Africans”. Our own research overwhelming points to the rapid integration of African migrants into Australian culture.
Mr Andrews is not alone in attempting to discredit Africans. Immediately after the death of Liep Gony, the young Sudanese man in Noble Park in 2007 and Mr Andrews’ comments, Channel 7 News, National 9 News and Ten News at Five aired a (false) documentary in which Sudanese were portrayed as gangs on the rampage who were out of control and involved in criminal activity. The News channels were trying to put into context the decision of the Federal Government (Mr Andrews) to limit African migration. However they all failed to report that in concurrent media releases the Victorian Police Commissioner refuted that Sudanese were involved in crime gangs and failed to report that the youths who did murder Liep Gony were in fact, white. The African Learning Leadership and Advocacy Group (ALLAG) challenged Channel 7, 9 and 10 for false and misleading reporting on 21st December 2007. In favour of ALLAG’s complaint, the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) ruled that the TV news channels were in breach for not presenting factual material accurately and had not presented news fairly and impartially.
Mr Andrews is showing appalling ignorance of the facts – and arrogance – in continuing to believe the myth that Sudanese migrants do not integrate.
There are hundreds more ‘Samuel stores’ in Australia. Mr Andrews should swallow his pride, apologise to the Sudanese community for his factually incorrect position and welcome Africans to Australia
Dr John Oldroyd, PhD, Treasurer; and Associate Professor Andre Renzaho, PhD; Executive Director African learning leadership and Advocacy Group
On Tasmanian Times: Detained on Manus Island: Labor’s competence and honestry (includes links to the Pontville debate)
