Culture

NSW Premier Mike Baird Is Being A Champion And Introducing Travel Concessions For Asylum Seekers

“I am of the view that Australia is the lucky country and we have a responsibility to help those who have nowhere else to turn." YAAAAAAS.

by Alex McKinnon  26 June 2015

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In a country where the federal government treats asylum seekers so badly we may be committing crimes against humanity, any mainstream politician who chooses to swim against the tide is taking a risk, particularly one from the Coalition. But NSW Liberal Premier Mike Baird has made the decent and humane treatment of asylum seekers both a policy and a political priority; a sentiment he continued today with a surprise announcement about the state budget.

“[Asylum seekers] arrive here with nothing, looking to get on our feet, escaping conditions and circumstances none of us can imagine, and we are very proud to be able to provide some support at the time they need it most,” Baird said, sounding about as far from his federal counterparts as you can possibly get. “It’s a small thing the government can do, but I believe there’s an onus on us, with the budget in a strong position, to do exactly that.”

In a statement about the policy, Baird said: “This group is one of the most vulnerable in our society, often living below the poverty line. Evidence suggests that lack of access to dispersed services is a key impediment to their health and well-being. Being unable to travel creates social isolation which leads to deteriorating mental and physical health.

“Until now, it has been the non-government community agencies funding transport for asylum seekers in NSW. This change allows those NGOs to be putting more of their limited resources into food, counselling and housing – where it is needed most.

“I am of the view that Australia is the lucky country and we have a responsibility to help those who have nowhere else to turn.”

In policy and funding terms this is pretty small potatoes, but in a political environment where any kind of compassion shown towards refugees is painted as weakness at best and being “soft” on terrorism at worst, it takes conviction and guts to do this kind of thing. It’s by no means a universally popular announcement — the comments under that Facebook video prove as much — but politics driven by conscience is often unpopular. Hopefully Baird’s principle inspires people on all sides of politics to do the same.