Opinion pieces

41 - 50 of 143 results

Heartbroken for the Lost Children of Nauru

Friday, June 1, 2018

In 145 days, Australia will celebrate International Children's Day. My hope is that, by then, Australia's shame and the lost children of Nauru will be things of the past, and the children and their families will be resettled, safe and free.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Asylum Seekers, Australian Government, Child Health, Children's Rights, Claire Rogers, Refugee Camp, Refugee Crisis, Refugees

Bishop Curry's Royal Message of Love Exposes our own Deep Flaws

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Rev Michael Curry’s sermon from the Windsor Chapel pulpit rang an exhilarating bell in the staid Royal congregation. Here was something living and breathing inside something that people felt needed life and breath. Love is the only way. Everyone matters. And that includes the poor and the downtrodden.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Australian Government, Humanitarian, Indigenous, Refugees, Tim Costello

A Budget to Lift Election Prospects, But not to Help the World's Poor and Displaced

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

The Coalition Government’s fifth budget last week was carefully calibrated to offer just enough to a discontented electorate to restart the political contest ahead of the poll expected early next year. Yet again Australia’s battered aid program took a hit.

Opinion Pieces, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Foreign Aid, Humanitarian, Tim Costello

As Our Wallets Get Bigger Our Hearts Get Smaller

Monday, May 14, 2018

The 2018 Federal Budget revealed an even uglier picture of Australia’s miserly approach to the poorest people in the world. A further $141 million was cut from the aid budget. This was on top of the $303 million slashed last year. As Australia becomes richer, we give less, even as other less affluent countries give more.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Child Deaths, Child Health, Humanitarian, Uganda, World Vision

Five Things the Australian Government Should do to be a Global Compacts Leader

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Globally, developing nations – who have financial and security struggles of their own – host 84 per cent of the world’s refugees. Wealthy nations, including Australia, should be doing far more to support displaced people.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Asylum Seekers, Australian Government, Humanitarian, Refugees

Cricket Ball Tamperers Outrage us, But Pollies Get Away With Cheating on World's Poorest

Thursday, March 29, 2018

As our Federal politicians, many of them with a personal faith, head into their Easter break to contemplate Jesus's teachings, the message of generosity and fairness is as relevant to secular Australia as it is to Christians.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, DFAT, Humanitarian, Tim Costello

Australia’s Global Rights Carry Global Duties

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Australia cannot convincingly preach adherence to international norms while spurning international obligations and making up its own rules when it chooses.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Asylum Seekers, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Tim Costello

Urgent Need for Leadership on the Rohingya Crisis

Thursday, February 8, 2018

If there is no change, there is no way to avoid this living hell. The crisis is complex and solutions need to be multi-layered but international governments can act. They can find ways to support Bangladesh, find solutions to this crisis so that the suffering and deaths of more Rohingyans can be averted.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Bangladesh, Claire Rogers, Human Rights, Myanmar, Refugee Camp, Refugee Crisis, Refugees

No Quick Fix for Australia's Kids Stuck Between Two Worlds

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Sending members of so-called African ‘gangs' back to South Sudanese violence and tribalism for a stint is more likely harden them and produce more radicalised, difficult Australians if they return.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Africa, Humanitarian, Refugee Camp, Refugee Crisis, Refugees, South Sudan, Tim Costello, Uganda

Manus – The Purgatory Made in Australia

Thursday, January 18, 2018

In terms of physical suffering, fear and desperation, there was no comparison. But if Cox’s Bazar brought to mind the gates of hell, then Manus was a purgatory – made in Australia.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Asylum Seekers, Australian Government, Refugee Crisis, Refugees, Tim Costello