As Australia counts the toll from the sinking of a refugee boat, Independent Rob Oakshott joins the list of those wanting the true facts behind the tragic incident.
Oakshott feels the PMs proposed cross-parliamentary group cannot add value; instead the PM must be quick to find the truth about the Christmas Island Tragedy. Julia Gillard must act - to quell a rumour that the Australian government was somehow directly complicit in this tragedy. According to Rob, this is being fanned by white extremists and stop the boats advocates.
However the tragedy surely is going to cost Australia; funds will have to be set aside to provide for the increasing number of Asylum Seekers and their increasing needs. These funds will have to cover.
1) Improved Maritime surveillance and tracking of all the boats 2) Improved accommodation at Christmas Island for the Asylum Seekers 3) Improved accommodation within Australia for Asylum Seekers 4) Improved health and hospital care for Asylum Seekers 5) Improved legal representation within Australia for Asylum Seekers to safeguard their Human Rights 6) Better recognition and representation for Refugee Action Advocates from the Immigration Dept and within the legal system
Following the results of the inquiry into the tragic sinking, a Commission should be setup to ensure its recommendations are met; also to oversee those necessary improvements to Asylum Seeker Welfare and also their Human Rights. An eminent jurist should be appointed to head this Commission; possibly such as Geoffrey Robertson QC, who as we all know has been prominent in ensuring that Wikileaks head Jullan Assange is freed from an English Jail.
PM, Julia Gillard, speaking in Sydney today, said Memorial services would be held in the next few days to recognise the loss of life in the tragic event. The total number of survivors flown to a Perth hospital is five, with four requiring specialist treatment.
