Mmastodon WorldImmigration first seen 1 d ago, last 5 h ago, peak #1
Australia's 1977 response to Vietnamese boat arrivals recalled
Original: “When refugees from newly unified Vietnam began sailing into Darwin during the 1977 election campaign, the government re
During the 1977 election campaign, refugees from newly unified Vietnam began arriving by boat in Darwin, and the Australian government responded in a measured way despite political fear-mongering, including from Labor figures. It was in this period that the phrase 'queue jumpers' entered the country's immigration debate. Commentators are revisiting that episode as a contrast with today's asylum politics.
Why now: The historical episode is being invoked in current debates over immigration and asylum policy in Australia.
DarwinVietnamAustraliaLabor Party
Evidence
- “When refugees from newly unified Vietnam began sailing into Darwin during the 1977 election campaign, the government responded competently and soberly despite fear mongering by Labor leaders. (This is when the language of queue jumpers entered our lexicon.) When the head of… · maudenificent@aus.social · 41
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