Imagine a lockdown that goes on for eight years
Australians have generally reacted kindly towards those impacted by COVID, although we have struggled with lockdowns. Sadly, that kindness does not extend to everyone. Imagine a non-COVID lockdown that goes for eight years, courtesy of Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese, Jacquie Lambie, and Australian Parliament.
On 10 January 2021, I was one of some hundreds of protesters who braved the warm weather and COVID restrictions in order to protest outside the Park Hotel, where refugees are detained without trial or charge. These men have suffered for years in offshore detention, and were brought to Australia because doctors declared that they needed medical intervention. Many months later, they continue to languish without appropriate medical treatment.
Two decades ago, under another name, this very same hotel hosted a number of science fiction conventions, where I and many of my friends wistfully imagined a positive, utopian future. Today, it is a place where innocent people suffer imprisonment. It was heartbreaking to see these people crammed up against the windows, waving at protesters and yearning to be free and healthy again. As I stood there, giving them the solidarity salute and sobbing into my COVID face mask, I vowed to write this blog note.
As Australians, we are better than this. As humans, we are better than this. Why is our Parliament composed of so many people who treat others so cruelly? Why do we allow our MPs to behave like this?
© 2021 Geoff Allshorn