Asylum-seekers and the insecurity of a nation

This article is about insecurity: the insecurity brought about by fear of the 'other'. In Australian public policy this has been exemplified by the reaction of the Australian Government to the asylum-seekers who were rescued by the MS Tampa in September 2001. Immigration and refugee policies have both been based on a sense of insecurity. A paradox exists in Australia. On one hand Australia has the reputation of a tolerant multicultural nation; indeed, a fine example of a successful immigrant society. Australia made a large and constructive input into the formation of the United Nations after World War II, and in many ways has been at the forefront of international human rights diplomacy in more recent times. On the other hand Australia has had highly controversial and racist policies such as the White Australia policy and more recently, the mandatory detention of asylum-seekers; both of which have violated the human rights treaties Australia fought so hard to obtain. In focusing on the latter aspect of the paradox, this article will maintain that a historical continuity connects the enactment of the White Australia policy at the beginning of Federation to the uncompromising and draconian approach to Australian refugee and detention policies at the centenary of Federation. Both reflect a sense of insecurity that seems to be embedded in the Australian psyche.